World Relief Urges International Community to Assist and Protect Vulnerable Afghans

August 16, 2021

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

BALTIMORE – Following the Taliban takeover of the Afghan capital of Kabul over the weekend, World Relief is concerned about the increasing vulnerability of the Afghan people and urges the international community to provide protection and assistance to those fleeing danger and violence. In addition, World Relief continues to urge the Biden administration to honor the U.S.’s commitment to its allies and immediately evacuate as many Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and other vulnerable Afghans to the U.S. as quickly as possible. 

“We are devastated by what’s happening in Afghanistan and stand with the Afghan people,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “We are acutely aware of the fears and anxiety that the Afghan people feel right now. World Relief is deeply concerned about the many Afghans, including those who assisted U.S. troops, human rights defenders, religious minorities and others, who will be left vulnerable as our troops withdraw. I am praying for peace and the protection of those in Afghanistan right now and ask that others join me in prayer as well.”

World Relief urges the Biden administration to uphold the promise made repeatedly throughout several administrations that Afghans who served with us would be brought to safety in the United States. World Relief believes there is a moral responsibility to safely evacuate our Afghan allies who risked their lives to protect American troops and civilians ahead of the Taliban takeover.

“For the past several months, President Biden has been pressed by human rights groups, faith communities, veterans and bipartisan leaders in Congress to evacuate our Afghan allies as quickly as possible given the imminent drawdown of U.S troops, ” commented Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. “Given the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the evacuation of only 2,000 or so SIV applicants, we urge the administration to do everything it can to continue to assist and protect our vulnerable allies and others who face grave danger and violence because of their association with the United States.”

World Relief stands ready and eager to welcome evacuated Afghan refugees and is actively working with our local partners to prepare to welcome as many refugees as possible. The fiscal year 2022 refugee ceiling, which the Biden administration is due to set in the coming weeks, must account for a significant number of Afghan refugees.

“The way we leave Afghanistan will be an enduring mark on our nation’s history,” continued Yang. “ The U.S. should lead a worldwide effort to assist and protect vulnerable Afghans wherever they are, and to help create safe spaces and assistance for those who are forcibly displaced.” 

World Relief asks that our partners and church community join us in praying for peace and for the protection of those in Afghanistan whose lives are in immediate danger, and for a compassionate response to the needs of Afghan refugees. 

To learn more about World Relief, visit https://worldrelief.org/.

To download a PDF version of this release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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