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Resources and Support for Afghan Refugees

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The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has rapidly deteriorated human rights and vulnerable groups, including, women and children, the LGBTQ+ community, religious and ethnic minorities, and those who have direct ties to the United States government and international aid organizations are at risk of violence under Taliban rule.

The Biden Administration announced that the U.S. will welcome 95,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the crisis and it is anticipated that California will receive over 5,000 refugees. The Los Angeles area will likely be one of the places where many Afghan refugees settle. These refugees and their families will face a multitude of challenges when arriving and transitioning to a new life, including, housing, language barriers, financial hardship, education, employment, and obtaining legal status.

The list of local and international resources below offer a variety of opportunities to help relocate, resettle, and provide direct support to Afghan refugees.

HIAS
https://www.hias.org/
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity. HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

  • Providing housing for newly-arrived Afghan families is currently the biggest need, but there are many different volunteer opportunities. If you are able to provide temporary or permanent housing or would like to support Afghan families in your community in another way please fill out this form: Support an Afghan Family Arriving in Your Community (office.com)
  • HIAS is partnering with Airbnb to connect displaced people in need of temporary housing — including refugees from Afghanistan — with community members who have available space to share. To learn more about this program, please visit Airbnb’s site: Airbnb.org - Get Involved
  • Donations help provide food, housing assistance, job training, gender-based violence counseling, and other critical needs for arriving Afghan citizens into the United States. Donate here: https://act.hias.org/page/6048/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=afghanistan-response

International Committee of the Red Cross
https://www.icrc.org/en/afghanistan-crisis

The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, its Statutes those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

The ICRC has been present in Afghanistan since 1987. Already since June, more than 40,000 people wounded by weapons have been treated at ICRC-supported facilities around the country. ICRC staff have worked to protect and assist those in need in Taliban-controlled areas for years. ICRC will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Afghan Red Crescent Society to help those whose lives have been scarred by war.

International Institute of Los Angeles
https://www.iilosangeles.org/actnowforafghanallies/
While this refugee crisis is emerging and rapidly evolving, International Institute of Los Angeles is currently coordinating the arrival and resettlement of Afghan refugees in Southern California. This is in addition to refugees from around the world they are already serving.

IILA is now in great need of volunteers and donations to assist with resettling vulnerable families and individuals fleeing instability and the threat of violence. Donate here: https://www.iilosangeles.org/donate/.

International Rescue Committee
https://www.rescue.org/
The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors, and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities. In Los Angeles and other offices across the country, the IRC helps them to rebuild their lives.

There are many ways that you can get involved with the IRC’s work in Los Angeles:

  • Give a tax-deductible financial contribution: https://help.rescue.org/donate/afghanistan
  • Volunteer to mentor families by assisting with appointments, taking them to local attractions, cooking together, or otherwise helping them acclimate to the U.S: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer
  • Help provide a warm welcome by donating urgently needed household items for newly arrived refugees.
  • Employ refugees and help connect IRC to affordable housing options.

Rainbow Railroad
https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm. Since their founding, Rainbow Railroad helped over 1,600 LGBTQI+ individuals find safety through emergency relocation and other forms of assistance. Rainbow Railroad consistently receive requests for help from Afghanistan and Rainbow Railroad is preparing to help LGBTQ Afghans attempting to escape.


Refugee Forum of Los Angeles
https://www.facebook.com/refugeeforumla/

A collaborative of Los Angeles organizations that care about and care for resettled refugees in Southern California. The mission of the Forum is to promote a multi-disciplinary response to the needs of refugees in Southern California, in the United States and throughout the world, encourage its members to create thoughtful and creative community alliances, from which refugees will accrue benefits, provide education and learning opportunities for members and to increase public awareness of the refugees and their vitality in the communities in which they have found homes.

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/what-we-do

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF does whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation.