How to Help the Afghan Refugees and U.S. Servicemembers
How to Help the Afghan Refugees and U.S. Servicemembers
As military spouses who are all too familiar with the events of the last 20 years, we are sharing resources for how to help U.S. Servicemembers and Afghan Refugees. These resources have been vetted by our team, but they are not endorsed or sponsored by Squared Away.
According to the UNHCR, the Refugee Agency for the U.N., around 400,000 Afghans have been forced from their homes since the beginning of the year.
Resources for Helping Refugees of Afghanistan
- The Today Show: How to help Afghan refugees includes resources for donations that will support women survivors, interpreters, and other refugees.
- Four DMV Businesses Working to Help Afghan Refugees: A Washington D.C.-based group collecting gift cards and e-gift cards for refugees.
- Help SIV Afghan Allies — Lutheran Social Services: Lutheran Social Services of the D.C.-area is accepting financial donations to support Afghan allies. CNN also vetted this source.
- Women For Women: A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is accepting financial donations to support the women of Afghanistan.
- The New York Times: How to Help Afghan Refugees and the Relief Effort shares resources that will support the Afghan refugees.
- International Rescue Committee: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is accepting financial donations in support of the at-risk Afghans in conjunction with both diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
- CNN: Help for Afghanistan Refugees is a financial donation platform that is providing these donations to 20 organizations that are directly supporting the refugees.
- Soldiers Angels: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to “provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.” Soldiers Angels are accepting financial donations for Afghan refugees, and their page shares a list of emergency refugee support needs (clothing and hygiene items).
- UNHCR: The U.N. Refugee Agency they are accepting financial donations to help the displaced Afghan refugees.
- Time Magazine: How to Help People in Afghanistan | Time lists options that Time Magazine has vetted in support of Afghan refugees.
Resource Lists Helping Refugees of Afghanistan
These resource lists are vetted by the Squared Away team and may change at any time. We will do our best to update these lists as the needs change.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team’s List
US Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, ATTN: CPOA, 5614 Doughboy Loop, Fort Dix, NJ 08640
For anyone who wants to help the incoming Afghan refugees directly, USCG Atlantic Strike Team will be organizing donations on behalf of the CPOA, intending to redistribute to other nonprofit organizations assisting the refugees. Thousands of Afghan refugees either have arrived or will arrive at our base with just the clothes on their backs. We’re expecting to get many more fleeing their homes with absolutely nothing. If you would like to help, below is a list of immediate needs updated August 30, 2021:
- ***NO GLASS ITEMS, Pillows, or Tampons***
- Traditional Bras (New — All sizes)
- Underwear (New — All sizes)
- Girls Pre-teen ages 9–12 clothing (Long dresses/long shirts/leggings/pants)
- Kids 5–15 yr old clothing (All)
- Shoes (All sizes)
- Onesies
- Disinfectant wipes
- Antibacterial hand soap
- Towels (Bath/wash/hand/no paper)
- Clothing (clean and serviceable) Men, Women, Children: L and M
- T-shirts and pants
- Underwear (New) Men/Women/Kids
- Toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo)
- Shower shoes/flip flops
- Baby Formula
- Phone Chargers (lightning, micro usb, usb-c)
- Kids Toys (non battery operated)
- Please no monetary donations*, i.e., gift cards, cash, etc., only items from the above list, please.
All donations for the above list can be mailed/delivered to: US Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team, ATTN: CPOA, 5614 Doughboy Loop, Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA
Among the most needed items are the following in good, clean & serviceable condition:
- Kids clothes & shoes
- Power Strips
- Baby Formula
- Baby Bottles
- Thermoses
- Bug Spray
- Hair Clippers
- Luggage
- Nalgene bottles or similar
- Portable Pack-n-Play
- Portable Cribs
- Diapers
- Baby Wipes
People with approved base access through DBIDS can bring donations for vulnerable Afghans to MCB Quantico Bldg 3101 Zeilen Rd from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 211 or visit the Virginia 211 website for a Virginia community resource specialist who can direct donators to drop off off base sites.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity. For more information on how to provide support to the vulnerable Afghans in our area, visit www.wrapsnet.org.
A list of Virginia’s Resettlement agencies can be found here.
On the National Level — The Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement HHS-ORR partners may be found here.
#OperationAlliesRefuge
Fort Lee Liberty Chapel, Fort Lee, Virginia
Donation List:
- Baby Formula
- Baby shampoo
- Nail clippers
- First Aid kits
- Samsung and Apple USB and wall chargers
- Adult and Children’s masks
- Blankets
- Baby pacifiers
- Electric kettles for warming tea and baby bottles
- Pack n Play with sheets
- Pillow cases
- Backpacks of any kind
- Duffel bags
- Infant clothes
- Mens T-shirts all sizes
- Boys T-shirts all sizes
- Shorts for children of all sizes
- Loose-fitting light weight pants for men in all sizes
- Adult and children’s underwear
- Baby clothes
- Day dresses for women, not too short, all sizes
- Young girls and children’s day dresses, not too short, all sizes
- Underwear for all ages and both genders
- Sports bras for women and young girls all sizes
- Sandals/flip flops for all genders, ages, and sizes
- Travel sized toiletries
All donations can be sent to or dropped off at Fort Lee Liberty Chapel, 9100 St, Fort Lee, VA 23801
Wraps Net Organizations in Northern Virginia
The following organizations in Northern Virginia have been approved for support to #OperationAlliesRefuge and can be found on Wrapsnet.org.
African Community Center DC Metro
901 South Highland Street,
Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703–685–0510
Email: cc-general@ecdcus.org
Website: https://acc-dc.org/
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
15008 Cloverdale Road
Dale City, VA 22193
240–619–9567
immigration@lssnca.org
www.lssnca.org
Lutheran Social Services of The National Capitol Area
8922 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 22031
703–698–5026
immigration@lssnca.org
www.lssnca.org
Church World Service IRP
250 East Elizabeth Street, Suite 102
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540–433–7942
info@cwsglobal.org
https://cwsharrisonburg.org/
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington
8247 Shoppers Square
Manassas, VA 20111
703–841–3893
info@ccda.net www.ccda.net
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
1301 N. Hamilton Street, Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
804–308–9144
richmond@rescue.org
Immigration.VA@rescue.org
https://www.rescue.org/richmond
VA USCCB Commonwealth Catholic Charities
1601 Rolling Hills Drive
Richmond, VA 23229
804–285–5900
agency@cccofva.org
www.cccofva.org
For a complete list of organizations across the country, go to this link and select May 2021.
Special Immigrant Visa Program and Refugee Admissions Programs
Below are the resources for refugees needing information on Visa’s and admissions information.
Supporting Servicemembers and Their Families
Our team is mourning the loss of the 13 servicemembers killed in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, TX
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, CA
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, UT
- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, TN
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, CA
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, CA
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, MA
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, IN
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, MO
- Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, OH
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, NE
Resources for Helping U.S. Servicemembers and their Families
- Department of Defense Support Links: A list of links vetted by the Department of Defense for assistance and support of troops, wounded troops, and military families.
- Semper Fi Fund: A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization that provides direct financial assistance to U.S. Servicemembers who are wounded, ill, and injured. The Semper Fi Fund has opened an Afghan Interpreters Welcome Fund.
- Fisher House: A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization that builds comfort homes for both military and Veteran families to stay in, free of charge, while their loved one is in the hospital.
- TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization that provides resources to Gold Star families. They provide a 24/7 national support network and connect surviving families to grief resources.
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