Women & Girls of Afghanistan
ATLAS profiles usually tell the story of one woman at a time, highlighting her achievements and challenges, and hopefully teaching us something, giving us something to heed, as we carve our own individual paths forward.
This profile is not that. Instead, we want to offer our community a brief insight on the massive achievement Afghan women have made since the fall of the Taliban in aftermath of the US-led invasion in December 2001, and on the challenges –nay the complete undercutting of their work and their aspirations, which had oft been cited as driver for the intervention in Afghanistan– and the profound dangers they now face with the resurgence of the Taliban, following the withdrawal of NATO forces.
Finally, and significantly, this profile serves as a collective space for information, resources, and places to donate. These have been put together or recommended by members of the ATLAS community, and we’ll continue to add to them in the coming days and weeks.
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The women and girls in Afghanistan have long been used as political leverage. Famously, the protection of women was used to justify the invasion of Afghanistan, as well as a reason for forces to remain on the ground. In his January 2009 Farewell Address from the White House, then President George W. Bush describes his perceived success, saying “Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school.” The February 2020 deal between the United States and Taliban made no mention of women’s rights, however. As noted by Human Rights Watch’s Heather Barr, “Zalmay Khalilzad, the lead US envoy to the talks, repeatedly said that women’s rights — and other issues relating to human rights, political structures and power sharing — should be resolved through the subsequent intra-Afghan talks.”
In the last 20 years, Afghan women fought ferociously for equality and have stepped fully into their rightful places in public life. While those in rural areas faced greater challenges, Afghan women have worked to achieve dreams that were impossible under the Taliban, whether that was to be journalists, doctors, artists, lawyers, teachers, shopkeepers, musicians, or marathon runners. According to the World Bank, by 2020, 21 percent of Afghan civil servants were women (compared with almost none when the Taliban were in power), 16 percent of them in senior management levels; and 27 percent of Afghan members of parliament were women – a greater percentage of women than in the US Congress. More and more girls went to school: in 2003, fewer than 10 percent of girls were enrolled in primary schools; by 2017, 33 percent were. The percentage of girls in secondary education grew from six percent in 2003 to 39 percent in 2017.
Today, the women and girls have been abandoned to life and death under Taliban rule. To be sure, many Afghans are now in danger –including large number of men who, by dint of having more access to education and more freedom overall– were more likely to work with western governments, organisations, and companies on the group. Among the most vulnerable, however, are women and girls, and even more so women and girls with other intersecting marginalised identities, such as those from the persecuted Hazara minority. On 18 August 2021, the Taliban blew up a Bamiyan statue of a Hazara leader that they executed in 1995.
Also particularly in danger are women who are in visible public roles, and likely to be seen as symbols of what women are not permitted to do and to be. Female journalists have come under particular threat. One Afghan journalist, speaking to the Guardian (UK), said
For many years, I worked as a journalist … to raise the voice of Afghans, especially Afghan women, but now our identity is being destroyed and nothing has been done by us to deserve this… In the last 24 hours, our lives have changed, and we have been confined to our homes, and death threatens us at every moment.
In 2018, Zarifa Ghafari became Afghanistan’s youngest mayor. She has already survived the three assassination attempts since assuming her role. Speaking to a journalist following the Taliban’s taking of Kabul, she said, “I’m waiting for the Taliban to come for people like me and kill me’.
One Afghan woman, three months away from completing two degrees at universities in Afghanistan, wrote:
I worked for so many days and nights to become the person I am today, and this morning when I reached home, the very first thing my sisters and I did was hide our IDs, diplomas, and certificates. It was devastating… As a woman, I feel like I am the victim of this political war that men started. I felt like I can no longer laugh out loud, I can no longer listen to my favourite songs, I can no longer meet my friends in our favourite cafe, I can no longer wear my favourite yellow dress or pink lipstick. And I can no longer go to my job or finish the university degree that I worked for years to achieve.
In areas outside of Kabul where there is little international media coverage, the Taliban appear to behave true to form. In July 2021, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said in areas controlled by the Taliban, women had been ordered not to attend health services without a male guardian. TV was banned, and teachers and students were instructed to wear turbans and grow beards. Women, including government officials, journalists, human rights defenders, were already being targeted for execution.
The commitment to women’s rights is paper-thin. The abandonment of Afghan women is both unconscionable and unsurprising. "I'm going to say -- really -- shame on you," Afghan women's rights Mahbouba Seraj told a newscaster this week. "I'm going to say to the whole world: shame on you."
As Maya Angelou said, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” Afghan women have been standing up for themselves, for their daughters, and in truth for all women. Their instrumentalization and subsequent abandonment exists in a realm beyond shameful.
ATLAS believes that women rise together. We hope the information and resources below help you to stand up for Afghan women and girls. If you are able to donate, we encourage you to donate to the organisations below. We will continue to update these links regularly.
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DISCLAIMER: Atlas Women has compiled these resources in the hope that they are beneficial. However as the sites are maintained by independent organizations, Atlas Women is not responsible for the content of any document, information or other material on the Website or for ensuring that any document or information posted on the resources listed below is accurate, current, suitable or complete. Atlas Women uses every endeavour to maintain the accuracy of information provided on this web site, however, some or all of the information may, from time to time, be amended, or become superseded or otherwise inaccurate.
I. Resources for those trying to evacuate Afghanistan, or those trying to assist evacuation
**IF YOU ARE IN THE AIRPORT – Truman Project is manifesting passengers already INSIDE and either in line for biometrics or already out of biometrics on to flights. Email details to intake-hkia-list@trumanproject.org [update 27 Aug 7.40am CEST]
** TEAMAMERICAAFGHANEVAC@GMAIL.COM ALSO ASSISTING - SEND ALL RELEVANT INFO INCL. DOCUMENTS.
1. Security matters:
A) If you are Afghan or *if you have any friends on Facebook who live in Afghanistan,* please restrict who can see your friend lists immediately. This can be done in settings.
PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION if you are in Afghanistan or are connected to those in the Afghanistan.
· How to delete your digital history (English): https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/How%20to%20delete%20your%20history_updated.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2PqucMSXNetQOadj4MdylUsN6m8rlQJPccGBClSxPK5W1o-h4Csmu8m0Q
· How to evade the misuse of biometric data (English): https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/evading-misuse-biometric-data?fbclid=IwAR0s3PggNMCiaO06h3Ey3GrSzZcwmYmDlAhgxE3MSTi1PF9OVD6dC2-qlUk
· Access Now has provides online safety resources for Afghanistan’s human rights defenders: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RJQ9CozGALE-pKdDPvlEGQqgljFlpGYWQVX3b83Cryo/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR1b0wMgJfobItO9477lqCqonvB3KpEDmbWMTpfhJ2Yvcf_gXy-lmTZRr8o
B) There are shared documents circulating asking for the names of human rights defenders/activists, presumably to assist in evacuating. While these documents may have been created with legitimate intention by rights/advocacy groups, there is concern that there are non-legitimate copies that will be used to identify and target instead. Furthermore, there may be those connected to the Taliban with access to the list that will then be shared.
C) Sources have received an e-mail from an e-mail address <teamtaylorhelp@gmail.com> requiring credit card details and the signing of a waiver form in purported assistance to secure a flight out of Afghanistan. The e-mail states, ‘While the form references Credit Card information, please know that we will NOT be collecting payment until after your application(s) have cleared through a compliance database and logistics are firmly set. Once these are confirmed the cost per seat will be $2500. Safety is our utmost priority; we appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and patience.’ PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION.
D) Please also ensure Whatsapp settings are private and secure. **Note that Whatsapp is only encrypted if ALL parties DO NOT backup their chats on cloud. – Infographics (English & Farsi; Pashto TBD): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FWMNSezFH_dOUHdWPeaqhuc5pLN7_mMF?usp=sharing
E) DOWNLOAD EHTESAB FOR REAL TIME SECURITY UPDATES: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-afghan-canadian-entrepreneurs-new-mobile-app-helps-keep-civilians/?fbclid=IwAR1GC5QRI-tdSyNkkac1yEmXqQOjnGu4v3TwKilyRCq8sYsXiW0A4X37_6k
2. General:
· General information on the situation in Afghanistan (presumably updated): https://www.facebook.com/dina.f.haynes/posts/10158384499952514
· General information on how you can support right now: https://twitter.com/Bushra_Ebadi/status/1426668485153890304?fbclid=IwAR2Tb9_NiADGml29UtBc4s8pWVpw1FKxAuAUEojNADg2vfJTpC2DuRdq23w
· List of resources curated by World Pulse: https://airtable.com/shrji4JwIBgn4uM8F/tbla1Z8VGfzIavSTS?fbclid=IwAR2HjxvDw9tKXET0ov9U7k6NT9JziPOnUcP8fXfrMKXwAdVxC8I9n8ILC54
· Follow Win Without War on Twitter for local Afghan voices: https://twitter.com/WinWithoutWar/status/1426320687069896706?s=20&fbclid=IwAR184CZroKsP99s7-T0sOskEESMGCMmLhz4SU7J24AEHcT3pk0GIJMWvStA
· Pakistan just announced they will provide visas to Afghan journalists for a safe exit to other countries – their consulate/embassy in Afghanistan are operational.
· The Turkish embassy is also operational in Afghanistan.
· Iran’s embassy in Kabul is also operational.
· Information on topping up/re-charging phone cards for Afghan numbers: https://www.facebook.com/abdul.ghafoor.378/posts/10159761658227973
· Western Union agents are open and operating in Afghanistan/Kabul, according to their website: https://www.westernunion.com/nl/en/find-locations.html?src=gg_NL_NL_G_Brand_SERP_All_Broad_EN_eng&utm_content=sOpQqg0yE%7cdc_pcrid_413118471822_mt_b_kw_%2Bwestern%20%2Bunion%20%2Bmoney&gclid=CjwKCAjwyIKJBhBPEiwAu7zllzLmx1iiVL6f2EhLMy8h1DS1PXub6DRGYlcmf3DnVEhgc2paGIgRxBoCIOUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds[**NOTE: Sources say that funds through WU are not being released. Better option to go through Georgetown Institute for Women].
· If you require free USCIS certified translation for Afghan refugees: https://strommeninc.com/free-certified-document-translation-for-afghan-refugees-uscis-certified/?fbclid=IwAR3aaoHs2xWCO6-4OLR0w2jOQVHz9VYtpY9KANb_NatQlFtDTr8GJmOxrzo
3. Visa / Evacuation (general):
· Visa options for Afghans document created by Diaspora for Equality and Progress (ADEP)] “Immigration Relief for Afghans” – US/Canada/UK/Australia/Pakistan/India/Iran/Philippines: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fOLFOxD6DWs2JrBb1hqf2EXMbC5imN1Bm5LOXnSkfks/edit?fbclid=IwAR3ENhwKZHJ0jBqDTtPubwW1w1TVGlGtXuXmxA5ug9vq2J_xO91ousuIggU
· Information for Afghan Nationals Regarding Priority 2 (P-2) Designation – USA: https://www.wrapsnet.org/documents/Information%20for%20Afghan%20Nationals%20Regarding%20Priority%202%20(P-2)%20Designation.pdf
· US Priority VISA Program: https://www.state.gov/u-s-refugee-admissions-program-priority-2-designation-for-afghan-nationals/ through the help of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh (cgm@pitt.edu)
· UNHCR’s list of Relocation Programmes: https://help.unhcr.org/afghanistan/relocation/
· AMERA International runs a website - Rights in Exile, that shares legal aid information for free to refugees and asylum seekers as well as practitioners globally https://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/
4. Journalists:
· Journalists may e-mail safety@womeninjournalism.org
· Afghan journalists, regardless of gender/sex, can contact safety@womeninjournalism.org, cc: damla@womeninjournalism.org AND emergencies@cpj.org, cc: cpj_asia@cpj.org [NOTE: This source has not been verified but was found on twitter by someone. Please perform due diligence before contacting]
5. Academics:
· Academics/students who need to save critical or sensitive documents and/or information can use the Article 26 Backpack initiative by the University of California, Davis. Documents will be saved on cloud. Instructions available in English, Farsi and Dari. https://human-rights.ucdavis.edu/news/afghanistan-emergency-resource-information
· SAR (Scholars At Risk) are trying to find placements for Afghan scholars, general process to apply is available here (with the caveat that it will depend on how the airport/border situation develops): https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/get-help/
· Alumnus of a U.S. government-funded exchange program currently in Afghanistan can email the Fulbright Program: Fulbright@state.gov There is a form to complete and return to same email address.
6. LGBTQI
The following are NGOs that may be able to assist:
· https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/ (Canada)
· https://www.ongrescate.org/ (Spain)
· https://spectraproject.org/tag/turkey/ (Turkey)
· https://www.lgbtasylumproject.org (US West Coast and San Francisco)
· https://immigrationequality.org
· https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/
7. Human Rights Defenders:
· Emergency Material Support: https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/financial-support/grant-application-for-human-rights-defenders-at-risk?fbclid=IwAR2y1zvqAXV7KrSrCYhM5dJzFYpcARfKYTVC3gfQ0u1_NpCu2pdFsCXkI6Q
8. Donations/Volunteer:
· Support Women’s Rights Activists and Defenders. VOICE is a US-based humanitarian organisation who has daily contact with women in Afghanistan to ensure safe passage, and conducting women centred security workshops: https://voiceamplified.org/afghanistan
· Support Afghan Women Judges through the International Association of Women Judges: https://www.iawj.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=882224&item_id=67931
· No One Left Behind: https://nooneleft.org [to donate/can also be approached for evacuation assistance]
· LIRSConnect: https://lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv [in-person volunteer options in the DMV, Seattle, Houston, and Fort Worth]
· Homes Not Borders: https://www.homesnotborders.org/ [to donate, volunteer]
· Lutheran Social Services, National Capital Area [D.C.]: https://lssnca.org/take_action/afghan-allies.html [to donate, volunteer, advocate]
· Neighbours in Need: Afghan Allies Fund: https://secure2.convio.net/lirs/site/Donation2?df_id=4079&4079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T/
· Too Young to Wed (NYC-based) is assisting the safe evacuation of high-risk female activists and their families.https://tooyoungtowed.salsalabs.org/afghanistan-donations/index.html
· Activist Nadia Hashimi (AAF) has shared this list of organisations you can donate to: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/15s0dB44PLaADHst_hQP4upkSpXVi1oLw9GgSoHPrOOk/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR3QKw5Ww9eRm309CW_9cz3kM9uaUh7oNQxooZ5dKWcqq77T7HbhQKt0dEI
· Northern Virginia Coalition for Refugee Wellness: https://novacrw.org/?fbclid=IwAR1nx4ZF5Cvd8N729EQd9Udv3wf1vuBjg9Mwe06PLdaRwGUg98C6j3HMPG0
· GoFundMe for Emergency Aid for Victims of the Taliban Attacks: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-aid-for-victims-of-the-taliban-attacks?utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&fbclid=IwAR0jo5SRgRoDOmWuKWBcNr3jhvxst1O8tkn9NzViPht6MYn5gOV4RgdvDVE
· You can donate your miles : https://www.facebook.com/miles4migrants/
· Support humanitarian aid to internally displaced people. Contribute to this GoFundMe campaign, at any level, organized by Afghan activist Samira Hamidi and administered through local volunteers who are getting aid directly to those in need: https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-support-to-internally-displaced-people?utm_campaign=p_lico%20share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&fbclid=IwAR1rpLV6Sz3FJwKiJi-gLDJkr8lztQJrGTg_pZjxlp7Pkq9ie35L2h0Is8Q
· Support safe houses that are protecting women in Afghanistan targeted by the Taliban. Contribute to this GoFundMe campaign, at any level, organized by the Women’s Regional network and requested by the Afghan Women's Network (AWN), Safety and Risk Mitigation Organization (SRMO) and Afghan Women's Skills Development Center (AWSDC): https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-women-leaders-in-afghanistan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2Bhtml_summary_donations&fbclid=IwAR0RzC6eXfj_Y1xgWmUe_r2vdM_1nBOeVDkNmi_fPcgdTMwcFkLEuak8H2M
· Support Afghan Women Activists Fleeing the Taliban: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-afghan-women-activist-fleeing-taliban?fbclid=IwAR3vxjKW4rCb3q9tFolG-1JNY1NjC_t8ylbNOfcDI3wb0-A0zJVg89TUwmc
· The ICRC: https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/afghanistan
· Women for Afghan women: https://womenforafghanwomen.org/ [can also be contacted for shelter, resources and aid]
· Women for Women International: https://support.womenforwomen.org/donate/afghanistan-emergency-2x-match?src=HHUA21082A
· Support women journalists and reporters: https://chuffed.org/project/reporting-on-issues-that-affect-afghan-women-is-expensive-rukhshana-media-needs-your-help
· Donate for sanitary products for displaced Afghan women: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sanitary-products-for-displaced-afghan-women?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet
· Petition to protect Afghanistan’s human rights defenders: https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/protect-human-rights-defenders-of-afghanistan/
· International Rescue Committee: https://help.rescue.org/donate/afghanistan?fbclid=IwAR2eCu-9ydBIGzut36gVgqvzZy41_1VHchMM-zrzJNsSflXDQw43KszfhLs
II. List of Resources by Country/Region
1. Australia:
· Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) – Current Options for Afghanistan citizens and Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents in Afghanistan: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ca341d4aadd343de55b7b50/t/6126cddaaaa9c4404e38c277/1629933019962/Current+Options+for+Afghanistan+citizens+and+Australian+Citizens+and+Permanent+Residents+in+Afghanistan+8.pdf?fbclid=IwAR361eY14iyhdoxw9PeMHXEQ5C5hqhCc3_AbHiewzZBzB8NutmmkikfxHPo
· Safi Legal formed an Afghan Crisis Team, afgcrisisteam@safilegal.com.au contact number is +475 868 500.
· Citizens, PRs and visa-holders to register with DFAT: https://covid19.dfat.gov.au
· If in need of consular assistance, contact Australian Government 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre: 1300 555 153 (in Australia) OR +61 2 6261 3304 (outside Aus)
· Australian government advises citizens, PRs and Aus visa-holders to travel to Kabul Int’ll Airport to wait for planned evac flight if safe to do so: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/afghanistan
· If you’re in Australia and want to write to your MP or donate: https://linktr.ee/TheACIJ
· Petition (open letter): https://www.actionforafghanistan.com.au
· ABC news ‘How to Help People in Afghanistan and Your Local Afghan Community’: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-21/how-to-help-people-in-afghanistan/100393916
2. Canada:
· Refugee pathways: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Im63eJiSicH8s0zIQtqLnINIom_749RhfCf-HiaETU4/edit
· General resources including refugee pathways, organisations to contact regarding legal assistance (TBD), petition, and other support avenues: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XBfl8hBWEjNwNlFxKEafyX6NpcAoKlds/edit?fbclid=IwAR3j1qB2cPwnij1HLMijHefepCoH4sDclHmgEw2_OnHqwuKaZhTnmFwH1OM
· Canada Resettlement Program (Including contact details): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan.html
· To volunteer: https://cdainstitute.ca/afghanrefugees/
3. EU/Europe
· European Legal Network on Asylum – list of organisations in the field in Europe: https://www.ecre.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Index-Update-2020.pdf
· Petition to demand Germany and other EU Countries to create safe passages https://www.change.org/p/create-safe-passages-from-afghanistan-kabul-taliban
· Legal assistance in Germany: Deutscher Anwaltsvereign (DAV) is a network of more than 450 German lawyers in the area of migration law https://dav-migrationsrecht.de. May contact Bettina Bachmann at Bachmann@anwaltverein.de or +49 30 726152-123
· Germany (Frankfurt) – Donate items to refugees at Rhema Cafe: The Kaiserslautern Military Resiliency Center: https://www.thekmrc.com/ They requested warm clothes - trousers, jumpers, socks and shoes. They also all ask for a backpacks as they could not bring any bags and have nowhere to keep any belongings. There is no wifi and it is not possible to charge phones. A request has also gone out for new underwear for all ages and new baby bottles. Check here for list of items needed: https://www.alliedrefuge.org/evacuee-support?fbclid=IwAR3aaoHs2xWCO6-4OLR0w2jOQVHz9VYtpY9KANb_NatQlFtDTr8GJmOxrzo
· Belgium: Crisis Centre in Brussels is open to answer questions about the situation in Afghanistan and Operation Red Kite. If you have Belgian family members or Belgian acquaintances in Afghanistan who wish to evacuate call +32 2 501 4000
· Denmark: Afghan Lawyers Association afghanlawyersassociation@gmail.com / 004527509858
4. France:
· French Embassy in Afghanistan (Consular section): +93 (0) 202 105 293 / 294 Email admin-francais.kaboul-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
· Evacuation:
- The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a crisis and support centre to identify people that need to be evacuated to France.
Þ (+33) 01 53 59 11 10 and (+33) 01 43 17 51 00 accessible 24 hours a day (No dari / pashto interpreters reachable on phone.)
Þ alerts.cdc@diplomatie.gouv.fr and afghanistan.cdcs@diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Priority is given to:
Þ people who have worked with France: ex-auxiliaries, interpreters, etc.
Þ people fearing persecution in Afghanistan for defending human rights, being engaged in civil society, artists and intellectuals.
- People without passports in Afghanistan are also eligible.
- If persons are outside Afghanistan (in Iran, India, Tajikistan, etc.), they should contact the French Embassy directly in these countries. French embassy in Pakistan is currently closed, contact embassy in Iran or India advised.
If possible, the Support Center has to be contacted first because the process of the demand will be faster. Support Center can be hard to reach during the day. If you e-mail without calling, state that you have not called.
You do not need to be the person that needs to be evacuated to contact the Crisis Center: volunteers, associations and families can call to declare the people that need to be evacuated.
It is also imperative to send an e-mail with the contact details of the people that need to be evacuated, the contact details of the person helping out in France (Alexandra Olufiev has volunteered for this - olsufiev.avocat@gmail.com), as well as any justification and proof.
You should specify the person’s situation (for example: journalist, family of a refugee in France, ...) in the email subject.
· Visas:
- All visas requests of Afghan nationals and third countries must be submitted to the French Embassy in New Delhi or Tehran.
- On a case-to-case basis, requests based on a verbal note from French Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with official passports could be received.
· Loys Conseil with the Alliance of Lawyers for Human Rights in France. Ready to work with our lawyers on family reunification procedures from/towards France - lconseil@aadh.fr
· Hourly updates of the situation in French:https://www.facebook.com/watizat/posts/4196840047066916
· Petition to bring women human rights defenders to France: https://www.change.org/p/emmanuel-macron-pour-que-la-france-accueille-les-défenseuses-des-droits-des-femmes-afghanes?recruited_by_id=47e8fa70-fe7d-11eb-b81c-19745cd8e170&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&fbclid=IwAR1x5HkLMS45p6bLL5nXLT1oGzyXvGcpk0mzuzTYXbnYVgj13gwBEKBwgxU
5. India
· India has introduced a new category of electronic visa called "e-Emergency X-Misc Visa" with an aim to fast-track visa applications for entry into India. The following news article documents how to apply for the visa: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-launches-new-category-of-online-visa-for-afghanistan-how-to-apply-helpline-number-here-11629186718463.html Once in India, recommendation is approaching UNHCR immediately for registration to initiate RSD, or approach embassies for resettlement.
· Information also available here: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-announces-new-category-of-visa-for-afghans-7457441/?fbclid=IwAR2T7--k41lHXeBMGm0mxfWVr6jIULHFMIzJSYQ4P3k6uo4ophl_uNGHBTk
· Afghans can apply for this emergency visa online for fast-track visas for emergency rehabilitation for initial period of 6 months at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html Questions can be directed to Ministry of External Affairs: MEAHelpdeskIndia@gmail.com or 919717785379.
6. Netherlands:
· Information for Afghan interpreters who have worked for the Netherlands as part of an international military mission: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2021/07/26/information-for-afghan-interpreters-who-worked-for-the-netherlands-as-part-of-international-military-mission?fbclid=IwAR0jo5SRgRoDOmWuKWBcNr3jhvxst1O8tkn9NzViPht6MYn5gOV4RgdvDVE Send form to kabul@minbuza.nl
· Petition to the Dutch government on behalf of Afghans who supported the Dutch military or NGOs: https://petities.nl/petitions/red-onze-afghaanse-collega-s-en-partners?locale=nl&fbclid=IwAR0ttsPL9bu3Dcr-1LMwwy1dLVD3hABOLLEmva7kcPdsY5zlAIEYJlzG5PI
· Update on Dutch efforts to evacuate (18 Aug): https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/dutch-expat-news/military-aircraft-returns-afghanistan-without-any-dutch?fbclid=IwAR3-VRiT1MTnPjr4ul1-BU01VGHFkbzwxK4rRcUUpvecTJYKkx4wQ0x-4pE
7. Pakistan
· Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan posted on Twitter that they are facilitating visas for Afghan journalists & families. Media persons requiring visas may contact the Press Counsellor on Whatsapp at 00923222807683 http://mobile.twitter.com/ambmansoorkhan/status/1426789099797626881
8. USA
· For those cleared for entry into the US or have visas to be processed – Repatriation Assistance Request: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0S0jG7jCPVrpAs2b5YumFx6FUOUNBS0lPNFk1SjhEQzBRRDlXS0NXNFM1WCQlQCN0PWcu&fbclid=IwAR2kISCz-X_nEBfeqtqGlNL2E_Ka1ByFrFeWmHPgYPIziz-jcBkhyr726P0 The form says that it is for US citizens, but the understanding from various sources who have spoken to the State Department/Taskforce is that this form can (and should) be used for non-US citizens who have visas that are being processed - this form assists in the organising of flight manifests. The DoD has established an Afghanistan NEO (non-combatant evacuation ops) call centre to assist the taskforce with the manifest and logistical support. It can be reached at +1 703 693 0799. The State Department Coordination Taskforce is at +1 888 407 4747 or ACTF@state.gov
· S/GWI – collecting names of Afghan women leaders eligible for evacuation. You can also confirm P2 eligibility and be provided with a WhatsApp number for partners to upload personal documents and information. USAID is working with GWI on this. Send names and inquiries to SGWI_AfghanReferrals@state.gov
· If you have colleagues at-risk and who worked on a USG-funded programme, send their name, contact number/e-mail, accompanying family members, passport info or national ID number and a brief background on their cases to atf-tf3@state.gov Email can also be used for those who are family of US citizens, women at risk, SIVs, activists, etc.
· The State Department has created a new email account to handle Afghanistan-related inquiries. Please send concise description of your request to: HafghanistanInquiries@state.gov
· Afghans trying to connect to their American employers, please e-mail cgm@pitt.edu – there is a team of volunteers ready and willing to assist.
· If someone has an approved Special Immigrant Visa (USA), email NVCSIV@state.gov or call +1 603 334 0828.
· Andy Kim (USA) is assisting and pushing for evacuation. Email RepKimEvac@mail.house.gov or call +1 202 225 4765
· Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security: How to Save the Lives of Afghan Women https://giwps.georgetown.edu/how-to-save-the-lives-of-afghan-women/?fbclid=IwAR2kISCz-X_nEBfeqtqGlNL2E_Ka1ByFrFeWmHPgYPIziz-jcBkhyr726P0 [can also be contacted for humanitarian visas, emergency evacuation, safe houses]
· Former US Ambassador organises private charter planes with 24 hours to raise pledges: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfitym3vRQKDjEMNaK3j5D7SCYVbIhBruIMClUaK0DkP9uO-g/viewform?fbclid=IwAR1mrPUFVDOI_uJ-2hgt-AlhbVz8MLMHWAcY0MkAfOhWxtXfe30ad-anIWE&fbzx=4958375298085918093
· To find out more read this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/shawnjvand.../status/1426991720856621062
· IRAP has updated their legal resources guide for SIV applicants, the new P2, and humanitarian parole: https://refugeerights.org/news-resources/legal-resources-for-afghans?fbclid=IwAR2A7k_8buzH0SKcqWbiAlGZ09EaQ_hBH1S6W02SBc32cbqfcF3-geMEsLw
· For evacuation efforts, particularly post-evacuation assistance - A few of the resettlement agencies have started posting their own guides on how to help: check out HIAS and LIRS and RCUSA can connect you with your local resettlement agency:
https://rcusa.org/get-involved/volunteer/
https://www.hias.org/crisis-afghanistan-how-you-can-help
· List of Refugee Processing Centers: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/SIVs/Public%20Affiliate%20Directory.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3xSGLe1DIKzBzMGIG5dOcEFEUZo3sps2MF0COacbpYzUhLC29kD8iwYV8
9. UK:
· UK Government Resettlement Route for Afghan refugees – Consult Factsheet: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/08/19/factsheet-resettlement-routes-for-afghan-nationals/
- Thousands of Afghans most in need, including women, girls and children who will be prioritised given their particular vulnerability.
- The scheme will aim to resettle Afghan nationals most in need who have been forced to flee Afghanistan, including women, girls and children at risk given their particular vulnerability.
· Other immigration routes for Afghan nationals:
- Points-based immigration system
- Applying for entry clearance (i.e. a visa) to visit, work, study or be reunited with family members in the UK who are settled refugees, under the domestic immigration rules.
· The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) for current or former locally employed staff who are assessed to be under serious threat. Details of the scheme and link to more detailed policy here: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/08/16/factsheet-uk-support-to-resettle-afghan-nationals/ The Ministry of Defence can be contacted for advice at localstaff-afghanistan@mod.gov.uk
· The Home Office has announced its Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme?fbclid=IwAR2pjFsq6uccrQVQ41hf-WBwO5yR6KfYDAZDwdQU27n7QZdkKxmN8p-XkvY
· Evacuation effort for British nationals and Afghans at risk:
- British national, or family member of a British national in Afghanistan should call +44 (0)1908 516666 and select the option ‘Consular services for British nationals’ or email help@fco.gov.uk.
- Non-British national in Afghanistan or a family member of a non-British national in Afghanistan in need of assistance, call +44 (0) 2475 3899 80 (available 24/7). Be prepared to provide as many details as possible for yourself, dependents and/or family members – Full name on identity or travel document; date of birth.
· For non-British vulnerable Afghans at risk and in need of assistance, the following groups are prioritised:
- current or former Chevening Scholars
- people with existing leave or an open application for student, work, and family visas
- journalists and those who worked with British news agencies
- members of civil society groups for womens’ rights
- Afghan government officials
- officials working in counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics
- employees of charities, humanitarian organisations and NGOs
· FCO has a hotline number. Call the embassy’s Afghan number, it will go to answering service, hit consular affairs option to be taken to speak with someone. +93 (0) 700 102 000 [**Note: Many have tried calling this number and have not been able to get through. Suspect the line is overloaded with calls. Recommendation to keep trying – 17 Aug]
· Factsheets for ARAP, Resettlement Scheme, and Family Reunion by Garden Court Chambers: https://www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk/news/arap-resettlement-and-family-reunion-factsheets-for-afghan-citizens-seeking-asylum-in-uk?fbclid=IwAR2GiahlLZB_17eulFm_J5fIPJMSn_jDqFrNYmJHET4yhAqmvZnWN0fO-Ww
· Assistance for gender-based violence, sex and race discrimination; and supporting bereaved military families: https://centreformilitaryjustice.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR21xc3uEFG4vj3QFgta3E6dhqkywbNngn19OanBwePEHZvyjksXrv3bUXI