Help the Afghan People
August 17, 2021
As a human rights organization, Heartland Alliance has been supporting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers since our founding more than 130 years ago. Today, we urge world leaders to commit to protect civilians and increase refugee support and resettlement pathways for the people of Afghanistan.
“My heart goes out to the people of Afghanistan who were already suffering through multiple crises, including mass displacement, a severe drought, and another wave of COVID-19,” said Evelyn Diaz, President of Heartland Alliance. “We urge the international community to act swiftly to ensure human rights protections for all Afghans.”
Heartland Alliance has experienced an influx of requests for resettlement supports for Afghan people who have Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status. In the past two weeks and with support from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, we have been able to provide resettlement services including housing, public benefits, employment support, and education to people from Afghanistan. In collaboration with the local Afghan community, which has been instrumental in welcoming these newcomers, we are now preparing for the arrival of additional Afghans once air travel in Afghanistan resumes. We are seeking assistance with SIV applications and processing, as well as calling to extend humanitarian parole to those who have found themselves stateless with their lives at risk.
