Helping people in Afghanistan who need to leave – updated 8/19

This information may be helpful for students and community members who have family and friends who are still in Afghanistan and are not safe there.

Click here for a computer translation in Farsii / Persian.

برای ترجمه رایانه ای به فارسی اینجا را کلیک کنید

Click here for a computer translation in Pashto.

په پښتو د کمپیوټر ژباړې لپاره دلته کلیک وکړئ

Here are 4 things that can help in different ways:

  • Do you live in Oregon? Your US Senator’s office is helping to connect people in Afghanistan with the US State Department to try to help them leave.
    • Oregonians can send information about people in Afghanistan who need to leave to the senator’s office.
    • Their office is sending the details to the State Department task force coordinating the evacuation efforts and asking them for help.
    • You should include
      • Full names of all the people
      • Dates of birth
      • Legal status (if they are a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident)
      • Passport number and country
      • Local contact for the embassy in Kabul to use (phone and/or email)
      • Back up contact info
      • Are there any pending visa cases or petitions filed on their behalf
      • Other important information, like if they worked for Afghan government, worked for U.S. NGO or military, they are an educated woman, etc.
    • You do not need to print or sign or mail any paper to the office.
  • If you don’t live in Oregon but want to get help from your senators or representative:
    • If you find their phone number, call them. Be ready to leave a message with your name, phone number, and the situation you need help with.
      • Example: “I’m calling because I have family in Afghanistan and they need to leave because they are not safe. I need to talk with someone in your office who can help me. My name is _______, my phone number is ______, and my family worked as translators.”
    • The senator or representative may have help on their website. Look for “Services” or “Contact”
      • They may have a link that says “Help with a federal agency”
      • Sometimes they may have an online form. You can give them your contact information and explain the situation.

Here’s one example:

  • If you don’t know anyone in Afghanistan, you can still help by:
    • Making sure that your friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members from Afghanistan know about these resources.
    • Reach out to IRCO, Catholic Charities, and other organizations about volunteering in the near future.
    • Write to your Senators and Representative to urge them to do everything they can to help people in Afghanistan who need to leave.

Notes written / re-written by Eric Dodson on Aug 17, 2021 based on emails and phone call with Julia Stone. Updated on Aug 19.

Published by Eric

I teach English to speakers of other languages, mostly adults, in beautiful Portland, Oregon.