The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are seeking to mobilize private sector response to support at-risk and vulnerable individuals from Afghanistan who have arrived in the United States. We also want to express our gratitude to those who have already made commitments:

  • Google announced $2 million from Google.org and Google’s employee-led giving campaign to IRC, Vital Voices, and UNHCR; $2 million in ad grants to get humanitarian information to refugees; and a $250,000 grant to the Committee to Project Journalists to support Afghan journalists.
  • Airbnb announced a commitment to make available and cover the temporary housing costs for up to 20,000 incoming Afghans.
  • Walmart announced a $1 million contribution to refugee and veteran groups.
  • Verizon announced that it is waiving its fees for calls to Afghanistan.
  • Uber has pledged transportation, food delivery, and cash donations to support non-profit organizations for a total commitment of $1 million.
  • United is partnering with private organizations and NGOs, including  Walgreens, AmeriCares, and World Central Kitchen, to ensure passengers arriving on Civil Reserve Air Fleet flights are treated with care, dignity and respect by providing personal hygiene supplies, medical workers, and comforting meals.

We want to recognize these companies for the solidarity they have exhibited in this global effort and challenge other companies to follow their lead.

Private actors can most effectively channel their support to help welcome newly arriving Afghans as they resettle in communities across the country. Specifically, the following types of support are most critically needed at this time in resettlement locations:

  1. Provision of safe, appropriate temporary and permanent housing;
  2. Legal assistance and services to support those who will need to file paperwork to adjust their immigration status;
  3. Medical services and care;
  4. Interpretation services (in Dari and Pashto); and
  5. Large-scale donations of basic necessities (such as food and clothing).

Business, philanthropies, and NGOs seeking to address urgent needs may contact DHSImpact@hq.dhs.gov to let us know how your organization can help.

Organizations interested in assisting with longer-term needs, such as economic integration of those who have arrived from Afghanistan may contact AfghanPartnerships@state.gov.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please visit: Afghanistan Inquiries.

U.S. Department of State

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