What You Can Do to Help Afghanistan Right Now

Trigger warning: this articles discusses violence, death and sexual abuse.

On Sunday, following the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan, Taliban forces seized control of the capital Kabul and declared the nation now under their rule.

With the country’s military non-existent, the Taliban are free to rule over Afghanistan with their hardline ideals, which sadly means many Afghans are now in danger, including journalists, diplomats, and anyone else who has worked alongside the US.

It’s not just those who have helped western forces who are in danger, but women and girls too, who under the Taliban’s rule will now be subject to a reduction in education, made to wear full face and body Niqab coverings, and tragically, forced into marriages and sexual slavery.

Because of this, the world will see a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan the likes of which we haven’t seen in a very long time. Already, footage of Afghans desperate to flee the country, clinging to a jet taking off, has been shared around the world and the situation is only going to get worse.

For us Australians, watching the situation unfold from far away can often make us feel powerless to help in anyway. However, there are ways you can help virtually.

Here is a list of organisations that are on the ground in Afghanistan trying to secure the safety of our brothers and sisters in every way possible.

Preemptive Love

Preemptive Love have been working to stop the spread of violence and help the most vulnerable in war-torn nations in the Middle East for over 15 years.

Their experience in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, and Libya means that working in a dangerous situation like Afghanistan isn’t new to them.

Donations to Preemptive Love will go straight to providing immediate needs to Afghans including food, water and shelter for those forced out of their homes by the Taliban. 

You can donate to Preemptive Love here.

 

 

 

 

 

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Afghanaid

Though they have had to close their Kabul office due to Taliban presence, UK-based Afghanaid are on the ground in Afghanistan helping in any way they can.

The charity is responding—particularly in the rural regions of the country—by providing kitchen kits so Afghans can cook and safely store food, supplying hygiene kits with laundry and hand soap, and giving out emergency food parcels, solar powered lamps, stoves and gas cylinders.

You can donate to Afghanaid here.

Women for Women International

One of the biggest problems that we’ve only just begun to see is the refugee crisis that will come from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Women for Women International is a charity that is working to mitigate this crisis by securing visas for those Afghans looking to flee the country. They're campaigning with government agencies to help Afghan women get resettlement packages.

You can donate to Women for Women International here.

Write to local MPs.

Finally, if you want to help but can’t afford to donate, write to your local MP and ask the government to welcome Afghan refugees during this crisis.

Your voice matters in Australia and writing to your MP is one way of showing your concerns for the international community.

Aussies can search for their local MP here.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Header Image: Sohaib Ghyasi via Unsplash