The situation in Afghanistan is complicated, heartbreaking, and constantly evolving. We are working to stay on top of the most current information and resources available as well as to field your incoming questions. We have been compiling those questions and needs and will share them with you here. This email is meant to be informational and we have vetted all of the information as best we can before sharing it - but do know that, given that the situation is changing quickly, some things may have changed by the time you read this. For future updates and additions to this information, please visit this link.

If you have questions that are not addressed in the information that follows or if you hear of resources or updates that would be useful for us to share widely, please send us an email or call/text our Helpline at 980.263.9334.

Our hearts go out to our Afghan neighbors and friends, to our veterans who have served in Afghanistan, and to everyone doing their best to offer support over the coming weeks and months.

In community,
The Staff and Board of RSS
What is going on in Afghanistan?
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees posted an excellent overview on August 16 of the current situation, including details, timeline, and map. To view that document, click here. This is a resource that can be shared widely and we will share if an updated version is created.

Can I sponsor people to help get them out of the country?
The short answer to this question is no. At the sending of this update, there are two pathways through the U.S. government that are available to individuals in Afghanistan. These programs are the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for people in Afghanistan and the Refugee Admissions Program Priority 2 Designation for Afghan Nationals for Afghans who are able to cross a border into a second country. Information about those programs is below. The recommendation that we are hearing is that, for those who are willing and able, to take what they can and leave Afghanistan. RSS cannot provide advice on what individuals and families can or should decide to do and there is risk involved with all available options.
SIV Program
Refugee Admissions Program Priority 2 Designation for Afghan Nationals
  • Information about the RAP Priority 2 Designation Program for individuals who flee Afghanistan can be found on the State Department website

I received this form to fill out to get put on a list to leave Afghanistan. Is it safe to submit the form?
At this point, the situation is very dangerous and there are a lot of fake forms going around. The concern with filling out a form from an unverified source is that it can put the people submitting them in danger. At the time of sharing this information, the only legitimate paths out of the country (particularly in relationship to the U.S.) are those listed in the previous question.

Can I send money to people in Afghanistan using Western Union or Moneygram?
No. Transfers to Afghanistan have stopped completely.

What can I do to help more people get here safely?
Charlotte is currently accepting a very limited number of refugee and SIV arrivals in general due primarily to a lack of affordable housing options in the city overall. We are looking for more information, options, and creative ideas on this front. If you have any information or access to affordable housing options or if you would like to be kept up to date on this issue in general, please complete this form.
If you would like to support RSS to continue to provide support to individuals and families who are already established in the Charlotte area, you can do that here.

There are organizations at work on the ground in Afghanistan that are in need of support. Here are some verified options that we know of at this time:
  • Samira Hamidi is an Afghan activist who has organized a GoFundMe to support local volunteers and organizations across Afghanistan. However, the most recent update on their page is that the banks are no longer able to provide cash and many have been shut down. Please check the most recent updates on the GoFundMe page in order to make a decision on sending support toward this fund.
  • Ehtesab is an Afghan startup that is scaling up their established project to connect civilians with live security updates. To donate toward their efforts, please visit their GoFundMe page.
  • Miles4Migrants uses donated frequent flyer miles, credit card points, and cash to help people access flights. Visit their page for more information on how to donate.
  • UNHCR's Afghanistan-specific Donation Fund will go toward providing shelter, aid, food, medicine, and clean water for people who have been displaced. To donate to that fund, please visit the UNHCR website.
  • International Media Support is an international nonprofit that is working to support journalists in Afghanistan to continue to report out by providing safehouses and shelters, food, clothing, supplies, and support. To support their work, please visit their website.
  • GlobalGiving's Afghanistan Emergency Fund is dedicated to support nonprofits working on the ground in Afghanistan around a number of different needs. For more information about those nonprofits, visit GlobalGiving's fund page.

What are some resources that might be useful for people on the ground in Afghanistan?
  • Information on options to leave Afghanistan are likely the most in-demand resources. Please see the question above on sponsoring people to get out of the country for information and links related to the SIV program and the Refugee Admissions Program Priority 2 Designation for Afghan Nationals.
  • Reports out of Afghanistan are that the Taliban has begun going door-to-door. There is a large concern about the Taliban accessing and leveraging people's digital histories. Human Rights First has put together some resources on Steps to Protect Your Online Identity from the Taliban, most of which is available in English, Dari, and Pashto.
  • The International Refugee Assistance Project has compiled a list of legal resources for Afghans. Any questions about the resources on the list should be directed to the International Refugee Assistance Project. That list can be found here.
  • The Afghan American Foundation is assembling a list of vetted, international support resources for people in Afghanistan. That resource list can be found here.

What can I do to support American veterans who served in Afghanistan that might be facing challenges? What if I am a veteran in need of support?
  • Veteran's Crisis Line - if you are in crisis and need immediate support, please call 1-800-273-8255 and then press 1 or visit their website.
  • RallyPoint - if you would like to talk with other veterans online, RallyPoint supports topic-based discussion boards. There is a current discussion going on about the current takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and that discussion can be found here.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - if you are surviving someone who served in Afghanistan and are in need of a peer mentor, you can access more information about that on their website.
  • VA Women Veteran's Call Center can be accessed by calling or texting 1-855-829-6636.
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