Friend,

We wanted to provide an update with a few ways you can support efforts to get people at severe risk out of Afghanistan and to safety in the United States. The situation continues to be devastating, urgent, and chaotic. In addition, the people of Haiti and Haitians in the United States need relief given the devastation in the country.

In Afghanistan, it is critical the United States establish an orderly process so that people can access the airport in Kabul. The U.S. military must hold and secure the airport until all Afghan allies and those in need of refuge — not just American citizens — can leave, and the U.S. must use humanitarian parole to get people out quickly to the United States.

For those interested, here are some places where you can support critical efforts.

• Our partners at Choose Love have sprung into action and have set up a rapid response fund to support women, girls, and families fleeing Afghanistan and seeking refuge. In crisis situations, funding needs evolve very quickly and this is designed to deploy funds based on those evolving needs. Choose Love keeps none of the donations, and you can read about some of the groups they’re already working to support, including Women for Afghan Women, which works to provide basic humanitarian needs and support to women and girls in Afghanistan.
• Our friends at the Haitian Bridge Alliance are accepting donations and working with people directly impacted by the devastating earthquake and tropical storm. You can donate here through their website.
• If you are looking to volunteer, refugee resettlement groups like Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service are looking for volunteers — and if you or your company or organization have extra miles and points to give, Miles 4 Migrants plays a critical role in getting people to the United States. They are not currently flying people out of Kabul, but will continue to resettle refugees in the U.S., including Afghans who end up in other countries and qualify.

The needs are massive and there are many, many other places to give, but feel free to pass this along to anyone interested.

Thanks,

Todd Schulte
President, FWD.us