You Can Help Resettle Afghanis - Please Read · 2:48am Sep 8th, 2021
If you're like me, you've been intensely frustrated by the feeling of helplessness in the wake of the Afghani Tragedy. For my part, I find it hard to concentrate or to write, even though I intellectually know that using my creative outlets often helps deal with emotional pain.
Also if you're like me, you want to be able to do something to help the people of Afghanistan beyond raising awareness and calling for accountability (though those are certainly useful things to do). At the same time, you may be worried about scam 'charities' or about legitimate charities that still don't use their funds well.
After some digging, I found a charity that all evidence I've come across indicates is reputable, effective, and active in helping the people of Afghanistan.
Now, I certainly encourage you to do your own research (for this or any other charitable organization). I personally don't give money to a cause unless I've vetted it to my own satisfaction. This one passed my litmus test. It is your responsibility to do your own if that is your personal practice.
With that said, the organization is SAVE OUR ALLIES at https://saveourallies.org/. They are founded by veterans and formed in partnership with longstanding (and very reputable) charities like the Mighty Oaks Foundation and the Independence Fund.
Part of the reason I trust them (beyond their strong track record which I have not seen any indication that I should doubt) is that they're made by veterans who lived there. These guys and gals worked alongside, lived alongside, and befriended people in Afghanistan. They know the stakes, they know what the real needs are, and they know how to be effective because they have firsthand experience with the situation on the ground.
Currently, donations are to resettlement for the hundreds of people they already evacuated. They've had to suspend operations to get additional people out, and are now focusing on caring for orphans and other refugees who they saved from the Taliban.
I know other organizations are trying to sneak additional people out, though that's becoming more dangerous. If you want to try to find a reputable organization that's doing so, I encourage you to take the time to do the research - remember, for us, it's a matter of a few hours on a computer and some cash. For the people in Afghanistan, it's life and death. You can make a difference.
If you are not in a place where you can contribute financially, I encourage you to raise awareness. Share the details of this blog (and the last one) to help refugees, veterans, and veteran families.
Please also consider writing to your representatives and encouraging them to lean on the State Department to take action, and to hold those responsible accountable for this debacle. I know it sounds cliche and outdated, but these offices DO track how many constituents write or call in about issues, and this can lead to politicians doing the right thing (even if for some of them it's only about reelection; some, to be fair, actually do care).
To Veterans and families of Veterans who are struggling with seeing this unfold, please don't struggle alone. Reach out to your friends and battle buddies. Talk to other vets and families and help each other.
MakeTheConnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Request a Peer Mentor VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET)
Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you. Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety.
VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET)
Together We Served -Find your battle buddies through unit pages George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes
American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network - Peer Support and Mentoring Team Red, White & Blue - Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
Student Veterans of America - Find a campus chapter to connect with.
Team Rubicon - Find a local support squad.
This blog was certainly needed. Well done!
Thank you again.
Thank you for sharing this information.
Any advice for those who are outside of the US? How can we help?
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Thank you for asking.
I believe you can still donate to the same charities; if that's not financially possible, I'd still suggest sharing the information about where to donate.
If your country is one which saw troops deployed to Afghanistan, you can look up what services have the veterans' support networks locally and share those.
You can also see if veterans groups are raising money to help resettle survivors, as people who served there often band together for such purpose.
When looking for reputable charities, I tend to search for them 1) to find the names, 2) to search by name to see if they're rated by charity watchdogs, 3) to see if they have parent charities and what those charities' reputations are. Again, even if you can't support them financially, you can help raise awareness. You could also write in to your representatives and ask if they are doing anything, and encourage them to do so if they are not.