Resources to Help Our Afghan Allies

 

Local Agencies Helping Refugees report from CBS 58 on August 30, 2021 regarding the Afghan Crisis, interviewed Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod (ELCA) and member of Interfaith Conference's Executive Committee.  He spoke about ways in which we can help Afghan refugees, not just now, but for years to come,  "We want to have people who can pick up the phone and check in...that longstanding relationship with refugees is critical."  Governor Tony Evers reported he felt confident that the vetting process outside the US and inside the US was in order. Jay Sugar, Parish Relations Coordinator at Catholic Charities, knowing that there would be a large number of people arriving in the weeks to come, is requesting help as they move forward.  

To watch the full interview on CBS 58: Click Here

MORE WAYS TO HELP

Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition:  The Wisconsin State refugee coordinator contacted the MMWC with an urgent request.  Although there will only be up to 500 Afghan guests (refugees) eventually resettled in WIsconsin, there are thousands that are being processed in Fort Mc Coy. Due to the bombing at the airport in Kabul, the guests were only allowed to travel with the clothes on their backs. Many of the guests are women, girls and young children.  There is an urgent need for the following items:
Hijabs
Women’s readitional cultural clothing
Men’s traditional cultural clothing
Underwear (Men, women, children)
Undershirt (Men, women, children)
Socks
Prayer Rugs
Qurans
Baby clothing (particularly onesies and blankets)

Please note that only brand new items, preferably in its original packaging will be allowed on the base per the instructions of the state refugee coordinator.  You can choose to donate towards the purchase of these items via PayPal or credit card.  Please specify the Afghan Refugee Fund.  All funds will go directly to the refugees and to purchase these needed items.
If you are an organization, business, or institution and you would like to be a collection site, please contact Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition at (414) 727-4900 or at staff@mmwconline.org
DONATE 
https://donate-usa.keela.co/afghan-refugee-fund?mc_cid=996d6c2776&mc_eid=UNIQID

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the U.S. Simply put, they resettle refugees, reunite children and parents, and rekindle the American Dream. 

For more than 80 years, LIRS has been a champion for migrants and refugees from around the globe. Their legacy of compassionate service has made a difference in the lives of more than 500,000 people who have sought safety and hope in America’s communities. Their history reflects our own deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need. 

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Help Our Afghan Allies

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is calling for volunteers to support incoming Afghan Allies, Special Immigrant Visa holders, who are being evacuated to the United States. Afghan Allies are currently arriving in the following cities; however, we want to be ready to welcome these families wherever they go.  If you are able to volunteer your time to help with services like airport pick-ups, apartment set-ups, or bringing a meal, please sign-up using the button that represents your region or sign-up for the general stand-by list.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
https://lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv

Your donation to Neighbors in Need: Afghan Allies Fund will provide food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs for our Afghan friends as they await the official services available to them.

DONATE 
https://secure2.convio.net/lirs/site/Donation2?df_id=4081&4081.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T/

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is on the ground in Afghanistan now and offers this perspective:

Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have long-standing partners in Afghanistan, with projects and programs dating back to the mid-1960s. The work has been, and continues to be, in partnership with local Afghan communities, as well as with other humanitarian agencies concerned with health, community development and human rights. UMCOR is working with these partners to determine what assistance is most helpful at this time and the best avenue for ensuring humanitarian relief reaches the country. Through one project, UMCOR will provide cash assistance to displaced families residing in the Kabul area, enabling them to prioritize their most urgent needs such as food, shelter or medicine. Those interested in supporting UMCOR’s response in Afghanistan can make gifts online at here or by checks sent to Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #982450 noted on the memo line.

The United Methodist Church also partners with Church World Service who has actively settled Afghan refugees for many years:  Church World Service: Welcoming Afghans

For more than 40 years Afghanistan has been wracked by wars, civil strife, invasion and massive amounts of arms shipped in from outside forces. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, with high infant and maternal mortality rates, and millions of Afghans have been displaced as refugees over these many years. Today the country is again at a point of transition with great uncertainty about the future. Thousands of Afghans are seeking to flee violence and a fear of persecution. Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR, expressed his sympathy for the Afghan people, stating: “The situation in Afghanistan is uncertain and unfolding. It is a tragedy of epic proportions. We pray especially for all of those left behind who now live in fear and for the many communities across Afghanistan also facing extended drought and hunger.”

Direct Resettlement Relief Agencies in Wisconsin

Lutheran Social Services:
https://www.lsswis.org/service/refugee-resettlement/

Jewish Social Services of Madison:
https://jssmadison.org/services/immigration/refugee/

Catholic Charities Diocese of LaCrosse:
https://cclse.org/afghanistan-refugee-assistance/

World Relief of Fox Valley:
https://worldrelief.org/fox-valley/

International Institute of Wisconsin:
https://www.iiwisconsin.org/

WI State Refugee Bureau:
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/refugeeresettlement