Would you like to support the resettlement of our Afghan allies and other vulnerable Afghan national refugees? Here is how you can help with the Afghanistan response.
Volunteer your service with community organizations that help the cause
Together we can support communities and build recovery systems to help the thousands of refugees that arrive to the United States from Afghanistan. Veterans are key to this support system and know how to mobilize efforts in the community. Helping Afghan children re-unite with their family members is a critical mission in our communities, and Veterans are equipped to support these activities.
Many of our Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations are already helping with these efforts, and VA is responding with a list of resources to assist. This will provide Veterans a means to support their communities, reduce feelings of helplessness, and improve their mental health by serving as a bridge to the community with volunteer service.
Mobilizing a response
The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are seeking to mobilize private sector response to support at-risk and vulnerable individuals from Afghanistan who have arrived in the United States. As part of this effort, VA is reaching out to community and partner organizations to support the mobilization response and engage with Veterans that know how to help.
For information on how to help Operation Allies Welcome, please visit the U.S. Department of State “Call to Action.”
- Businesses, philanthropies and NGOs seeking to address urgent needs may contact DHSImpact@hq.dhs.gov to let us know how your organization can help.
- Organizations interested in assisting with longer-term needs, such as economic integration of those who have arrived from Afghanistan, may contact AfghanPartnerships@state.gov.
- If you or someone you know needs assistance, please visit: Afghanistan Inquiries.
Here are some other ways you can get involved to volunteer to help
*This is not an inclusive list and does not serve as an endorsement by the Department.
- Blue Star Families is committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we’re all stronger when we take care of one another, which is why Blue Star Families, in partnership with the White Oak Collaborative, has created a resource bank of useful information related to mental health and well-being, Afghan allies resettlement efforts, and military- and Veteran-connected family response efforts. Visit the White Oak Collaborative website for more information and ways to help at bluestarfam.org/woc.
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. By signing up to volunteer through LIRS, Veterans will gain access to the national LIRS network of partners and affiliate offices for opportunities in their local communities. Volunteer opportunities vary from short to long-term commitments, including airport pick-ups, apartment set-ups, ongoing transportation support, tutoring and assistance in English classes, and community connections. Interested volunteers can find more information and can sign up here: https://lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv.
- Team Rubicon is a Veteran-led disaster non-profit that serves communities impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Afghan families arrive in the U.S. with little more than the clothing on their backs, so we are supporting the resettlement effort at all phases of the process, including logistics support and site management; collection and distribution of donated goods; assisting in the set-up of housing units and providing interpreters. Your skills are needed. Please register at https://teamrubiconusa.org/serve if you want to make a difference. If you have Afghan language competencies, please ensure you identify that in your sign-up.
- Travis Manion Foundation is recruiting Veterans to volunteer in helping Afghan immigrants as they begin a new life in the United States, specifically focusing on Afghan youth. TMF Veterans will provide mentorship through our youth development program, lifting up Afghan children as they resettle in the U.S. Join the Mission at travismanion.org.
- The American Red Cross is supporting several operations right now. This support includes responding to wildfires in the West, following Hurricane Ida and other storms, and providing comfort to Afghan evacuees at several U.S. military bases. Red Cross volunteers help meet the immediate basic needs of those impacted by these events. Turn your compassion into action by volunteering to join us as a shelter volunteer. Click on the Urgent Needs Landing Page to apply for a shelter volunteer position or to find other volunteer opportunities.
- Combined Arms has supported 38 SIV families, totaling 163 individuals since 2019, and are preparing to support the 1000+ Afghans expected to arrive in Houston over the coming weeks and months. The federal government provides funding to several resettlement organizations to aid in SIVs transition to their new communities. After six months, the funding ends, however our SIVs still need support. Combined Arms works to fill in the gaps with the existing resettlement programs and processes, providing SIVs and their families with financial support, essential supplies, resource navigation help, and connection to community. You can volunteer at combinedarms.us to get involved in helping these families resettle in the Houston, Texas, area. There are plenty of opportunities to participate in airport welcomes, mentorship, resource navigation or transportation support.
Additional resources:
Veteran Service Organizations:
If you or your organization is supporting any of these efforts or wish to be shared as a resource, please email VAVEOCommunications@va.gov.
The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA.
View Comments
I have no interest in helping "other vulnerable Afghanistan people". They don't belong here , we should never have brought half the country here instead of evacuating U.S. citizens and the "real" interpreters. America doesn't exist anymore because of crap like this. Every poor pitty me foreigner is brought in and they get handed our benefits on a silver platter when they haven't paid in anything while our own U.S. citizens are being forced to die at their desks because the SS retirement age keeps going up!!! What is right about screwing over our own people in favor of foreigners who refuse to become naturalized and assimilate to how we do everything? Why aren't Somali's who steal from Walmart being arrested and prosecuted instead of being let off the hook because "that's what they do in their country"? This IS NOT their country, until they become naturalized and give up their alliance to their ways of doing things. If they can steal from Walmart so can I and if I'm arrested and they aren't that's discrimination against ME! True Unites States citizens are the minority now.
As soon as all the Veterans are housed and supported. And the families of enlisted troops gets more $$$$$ to support their families. Too many sick and hungry US citizens. Take care of our own 1st
Helping people you don't seem to care about doesn't preclude also helping those you like. Would you like me to make a donation to Combined Arms in your name so you're free to donate to a local homeless veterans organization with your own money?
HOW ABOUT WE HOUSE OUR OWN HOMELESS VETERANS BEFORE CONCENTRATING ON REGUGEES?!
Veteran homelessness was reduced about 50% from 2009 to 2019 so we already are working on the issue. How about you find another excuse for your lack of empathy for those in need?
Afghan allies??? We don't have a clue who we are letting into our country, You should be ashamed!
I am so bothered by the premise (and the efforts put into) of the VA asking for help in regards to helping the Afghanistan families that have arrived in the United States via the "evacuation" process. Quite frankly I am disgusted with the entire situation because it could have easily been avoided!!! On top of that, and the most offensive issue of all, is that there are Americans still there within the control of a terrorist led makeshift government! This president has turned his back on EVERY American by turning his back on one!!! And then, the VA has the nerve to focus on helping the "refugees" here in America?!!!!!! This whole charade makes me question just why I even believed that my service to my country was even worth a damn!!!! This is absolutely appalling and we all know it!!! I can't even imagine the sheer panic that must be wrapped around every American that is still there knowing that there is a bounty on their lives! This is wrong! Ask yourself, if it were you and/or your family members over there left for dead, would this president treat you any differently?!!!! Just despicable!!!!
I’m a retired US Army LTC primarily a logistics staff officer. Experience includes AC, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, Pentagon Army Operations Center Crisis Action Team, AFRICOM, EUCOM and Eighth Army ROK. I am also retired federal civil service logistics, emergency readiness, continuity of operations program, asset management, records management etc. One thing I do not want to work for or with are the State Department, DOD, DHS under the current administration. I don’t want the current administration unduly taking credit for anything that has or will be accomplished.
Great work there. You're willing to turn your back on fellow human beings because you don't like the guy sitting in DC. Also you're either devaluing all your qualifications or making sure people really know what kind of a piece of work you've turned out to be. I sure hope someone doesn't deny you assistance one day just because someone they don't like might happen to be associated with you through multiple degrees of separation.
If you can use me; great
You got to be kidding me right?? We have Vets sleeping on the streets. Have Vets who choose to be homeless cause the VA doesn't offer DOMs that their spouses can be there with them but the VA wants to house foreigners and their families on American soil?? This is a slap in the face of every man and woman who has ever worn a uniform. With the VA budget cuts and the VA using COVID as an excuse to delay if not deny all together medical attention for us and spend the money on people who most likely are tally in disguise.
I do support the resettlement of deserving Afghans but even more I support getting out all of the Americans fromAfghanistan.
How about we help our homeless vets FIRST!!!!