Resources for additional Evacuations of Afghans

Now that the US and international forces have vacated the Airport, there are no more flights taking people out of Afghanistan – All has gone still for now. Several consultants wrote in to say, we need to inform our Afghan colleagues to stay low and hunker down to stay safe. They should destroy pictures that link them to their US jobs and history. They need to take the SIM card out of their cell phone, reconnect it with a VPN, switch to using the encrypted messaging app “Signal” rather than What's App (which is less secure) and start removing photos and other identifiers from social media.

Organizations Helping with additional Evacuations of Afghans:

Currently, There are many NGOs made up ex-veterans and AID workers who have made it their mission to get people out: Allied Airlift 21, DigitalDunkirk, No One Left Behind, Ark Salus, Society 76, Task Force Pineapple.” Here are some I have been in touch with, that are active 24/7: Follow #AfghanEvac which has become the umbrella organizaitons uniting all of these efforts. The #afghanevac effort is hosting meetings and phone calls with dozens of different organizations and having multiple group chats – conducted on the secret messaging app Signal – to connect with people who have been in contact with Afghans. Check out #afghanevac , #SaveOurAllies on Twitter:

“Task Force Pineapple and partners are actively working to find options to get our Afghan allies to safety, and ultimately, freedom.” American veterans have banded together as Task Force Pineapple, establishing a "Pineapple Express" pipeline to Kabul’s airport and other parts of the country that he says has brought more than 1,000 people to safety, including American citizens, Afghan special forces soldiers and government officials, and other foreign nationals. contact is made by sending private memo to Twitter address.

The Coalition of Allied Vietnam War Veterans (CAVWV) is directly engaged in efforts to assist the evacuation of at-risk vulnerable Afghans and their families who worked for and served alongside the U.S. military and civilian government agencies. They provide life support and transit and have helped over 500 over the past weeks and are raising funds with various organizations to provide life sustenance during the arduous process. They are working in concert with Transit Initiatives, a network of women leaders with vast professional experience in complex crises, to provide life support to our Afghan allies while they are awaiting evacuation in Afghanistan and onward processing in secondary receiving countries. Donations are needed, go to Coalition Of Allied Vietnam War Veterans on *spotfund | (I am gathering info on how to connect more closely with this group so our colleagues can join list of evacuees.)

Human Rights First is doing a massive Evacuation Data Collection of Americans , Europeans, Afghans that worked for non- profits, and subcontractors doing the work of Governments and that need help to get out
Please access: https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/afghan-evacuation

AFGHANS NEEDING EVACUATION :

Updates - 8/30/21 - Please see all that we’ve listed below, but here are the newest updates:
• Email mbx.AFGLCH@hq.nato.int - if you worked in any capacity for US or NATO, send them your name, your family members’ names, your phone number(s), and all documentation you have to request evacuation. NATO is saying they will continue to work evacuation after the US deadline of August 31, so please send the email if you have any US/NATO affiliation.
• Email helpme@JDI.socom.mil - send them your name, your family members’ names, your phone number(s), and all documentation you have to request evacuation. For EMERGENCY assistance (which is nearly all of you) call the CALL CENTER at +1 202-647-9457. This is a new resource and we hope it works.
• Call UNHCR Protection Line - if you are a P2 applicant (see below for visa details) and in immediate danger, call the UNHCR Protection Line at (+93) 079 069 1746 or (+93) 070 499 6168 or email afgkaprt@unhcr.org.
• Email AfghanSIVapplication@state.gov - if you have an incomplete SIV application, please send an email asking the State Dept for help and guidance on how to evacuate.
• Call to Verify SIV Status - To check the status of your SIV application, call the US State Department at 1-603-334-0828. You will need your SIV # and date of birth.
• Apply for Project Dynamo II - a private group has chartered airlift out of northern Afghanistan. Please apply on their webpage to get on one of these flights.
• Help from Congressional Offices - Some members of Congress are willing to use their influence to help Afghans trying to evacuate. Contact one or all of these offices:
• Senator Tom Cotton: evac@cotton.senate.gov
• Rep Andy Kim: RepKimEvac@mail.house.gov
• Senator Jon Ossoff: Afg-evac@ossoff.senate.gov ,
Congresswoman Jane Wester is providing the following Afghanistan Evacuation Resources on their website: https://wexton.house.gov/services/afghanistan-evacuation-resources.htm , Below is some of the content:

If you know individuals in Afghanistan trying to get to safety, below are some resources that may be helpful:

If you or someone you know is a U.S. citizen* in Afghanistan that wants to leave the country, please fill out the Repatriation Assistance Request form here: https://af.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-kabul-august-16-2021/

*This form is only for the following groups:

U.S. Citizen with a valid U.S. passport
Legal Permanent Resident with an unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
A non-U.S. Citizen awaiting an Immigrant Visa
A non-U.S. Citizen and non-LPR adult parent or guardian accompanying a U.S. citizen or LPR minor child.

If you or someone you know has an approved petition for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), email NVCSIV@state.gov or call 1-603-334-0828.

If you or someone you know is an Afghan national who worked as a contractor with U.S. forces, non-governmental organizations, or the media in Afghanistan, you can find information on the P-2 safe passage admissions program here: https://www.state.gov/u-s-refugee-admissions-program-priority-2-designation-for-afghan-nationals/?akid=2346.968215.4oz3Yd&rd=1&t=3

If you are seeking assistance or an update on an immigrant visa for a loved one or a colleague, please complete our casework request form with my office. In the description portion of the form, kindly include the following information about the individual (the visa applicant) you are seeking an update on: any application or case numbers, their full name, date of birth, and details on their current situation. Please include your relation to the applicant.

**Please note: our office cannot guarantee evacuation and relocation of any individual from Afghanistan, but will do what we can to raise your issues with the State Department and will make every effort to provide constituents with the most up-to-date information and resources that are available.

Congreswoman Wexter s Washington, D.C. Office; 1217 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5136Fax: 202-225-0437

Sign Up on Evacuation Lists - We recommend adding your information into the sign-up lists created by government, nonprofits, and private citizens who are trying to get you out:
• The primary place for signing up was the US Embassy Kabul Repatriation Assistance Request - The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021 but is continuing efforts from Doha, Qatar. Definitely sign up on the US embassy’s official page. There is an option for “non-US citizen awaiting immigrant visa.” It says to await an email or call for evacuation.

However, some third-party organizations are compiling lists in parallel to USG efforts and circulating them directly to US Government (USG) offices—only use if you are comfortable doing so:
• Afghan Ally Registration - Afghan allies who have a US citizen willing to sponsor them, please register at this link for assistance with evacuation.
• Nonprofit Coalition Evacuation List - This is an evolving list consolidating some of the many lists that have been circulating the last few days; names are ultimately delivered to the US State Department, but this is not a substitute for officially registering with the US Embassy at the link above.
• Human Rights First - is accumulating list of Afghans that are in need of evacuation

Allied Extract: Founded in August 2021, Allied Extract engages in the evacuation and safe relocation of US and UK citizens and extremely high-risk Afghan citizens. Fill out this form for assistance.
Operation Flyaway updates: https://twitter.com/quentquarantino
Team America: If someone you know needs assistance getting out of Afghanistan, or you would like to help Team America, send an email to teamamericaafghanevac@gmail.com.
Operation Recovery is supporting Veteran Owned Businesses that are seeking to repatriate American Citizens and Afghan allies. Fill out this form to request assistance: https://www.operationrecovery.org/assistance

Understand US Visa Situation - If you don’t have a US visa, don’t give up hope. If you’re lost, here are some basics:

• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) - This is a 14-step process designed for translators who served with US/ISAF forces for a minimum of two years. It is a long and confusing process, and you may have been refused because your employment was terminated due to a whole host of reasons by the agency you worked for like MEP, or any other inexplicable reasons you’ll hear from so many applicants who served honorably as translators.
• Priority 1 Visa (P1) - This includes individuals referred by the US Embassy, UNHCR, or designated NGO for resettlement, with special consideration for those under especially severe threats, including women and girls, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors. Contact the US State Department office managing this at ATF-TF3@state.gov and (202) 485-1627.
• Priority 2 Visa (P2) - This includes “groups of special concern” for resettlement. Eligible Afghans who can apply for this visa include interpreters who do not meet requirements for the SIV; anyone who has worked for US agencies or organizations funded by US agencies; and anyone working in media organizations. Applicants for P2 are expected to go to a third country for processing of this visa.
• Humanitarian Parole - For those who don’t already have another visa application pending, this is a newly opened option for Afghans who need a visa due to urgent threat of their life (we know this is MANY of you). Sponsors are needed to bring you in. Here is the link to the forms and procedure to apply: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/humanitarian-parole . We will update here as we have more clarity.
• *US Department of State Refugee Processing Center Info - Read the official details of the above programs.
• Lessons Learned from Visa Programs for Afghans* - This is a clear, current overview of the problems involved with the above visa programs.

Reach Out to Organizations That Can Help You - If you need visa help, resources for resettlement, information on how to protect yourself from Taliban searches and targeting, etc., please take the time to explore the resources below:
• Association of Wartime Allies - Contact them with your SIV and P2 visa questions, and get in their closed Facebook group for real-time information on what is happening.
o No One Left Behind- https://nooneleft.org/ The cornerstone of No One Left Behind is service to Special Immigrant Visa holders and those awaiting to go through the immigration process. Read their online explainers of the SIV process and resources to help you resettle in the US and either sign up for their email list or reach out to them. They have easily accessible individuals ready to help.

• Human Rights First - Read their info relevant to what is happening now, and check out their pages on protecting yourself from Taliban searching you both in person and targeting you online to harm you.
• IRAP Legal Resources for Afghans - See some frequently asked questions and learn more about getting help with your visa application.
• Pars Equality Center - Request pro-bono (free) legal help with your visa application.
• University of Pittsburgh Center for Governance and Markets Afghan Assistance Form - Request free help with SIV or P2 visas.

Consider Immediate Options Outside of US - As of this writing, the US has been very restrictive in its evacuations of individuals who are not US citizens/green cards. Here are some options you may want to consider outside of the US, especially if you have worked with or have relations with governments or military other than US:
• Canada - Afghans affiliated with Canadian military, government, or Canadian NGOs, or able to secure a Canadian citizen sponsor can email requests for evacuation to Canada-Afghanistan@international.gc.ca
• United Kingdom - UK MOD representatives in Kabul can be contacted for further advice at: localstaff-afghanistan@mod.gov.uk or 0792 907 303
• Germany - Afghans with connections to Germany can email 040-krise01@auswaertiges-amt.de
• France - The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs will consider cases of every person who fears persecution in Afghanistan, has family in France, or has worked in France. This includes Afghans who do not have a passport.

• Humanitarian Parole - Application for Humanitarian Parole can be made at the US embassy in countries outside of Afghanistan. Below is a listing of some of the countries accepting Afghans (note that some restrictions apply):
• Uzbekistan - E-visa - possible restrictions, please see website link
• Tajikistan - E-visa
• Kyrgyzstan - E-visa
• Antigua and Barbuda - E-visa
• Benin - E-visa
• Cape Verde - Visa on arrival - 3 months
• Comoros - Visa on arrival - 45 days
• Dominica - Visa free entry - 21 days
• Ethiopia - E-visa - 90 days
• Maldives - Visa on arrival - 30 days
• Qatar - E-visa

Protections for Afghans and Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis
August 2021
Take Actions:
• Church World Service: Action Alert
• Veterans for American Ideals: Action Alert
• Change.org: Sign the petition
• IRAP: Resources on How to Help Afghan Partners
• WAND: Petition
• LIRS: How to Help our Afghan Allies
• UWD: Petition

Resources for Friends and Family Members In Afghanistan:
• HRF: Afghan Evacuation Resources
• Evacuate Our Allies: Resources
• USCRI: Resources for Afghan Allies
• Afghan American Foundation: Afghanistan Emergency IDP Fundraising Organizations August 2021
• GIWPS: How to Save the Lives of Afghan Women
• Women's Regional Network: Women Globally Working to Protect Afghan Women
• Vital Voice Emergency Fund: Contact Saba Ghori at sabaghori@vitalvoices.org
• Open Society Foundations: Open Society Announces a $10 Million Emergency Fund for Afghan Civilians in Peril
• IRAP also offers chatbots which offer information through Facebook Messenger and Telegram. To talk to the chatbot, add@irapchatbot on Telegram or message them on Facebook. Then, type “hello” as your first message. The chatbot will respond to you and ask you a series of questions about your situation. If you are using Telegram, click the window button next to the text box to view which options are available to respond to a message. These options automatically appear on Facebook.

Resources to Support Afghan Refugees once they arrive in the US:

CWS (Church World Service?) resettlement offices and affiliates welcome newly arriving Afghan refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs), and their loved ones who are resettled in the United States, providing housing, job training, and other social services so that they can thrive in their new communities. Here are some ways you can help:
• [Click here] (https://cwsglobal.org/?form=siv.)to donate to support newly arriving Afghan families, especially to support secure housing.
welcome@cwsglobal.org to find out about opportunities to sponsor a newly arriving Afghan family in your community.
• Are you a landlord who has rental units that you are willing to rent to newly arriving Afghan families? Email us at refugeewelcome@cwsglobal.org to learn more about how you can be involved in providing a safe place to land for our Afghan neighbors.
• Are you a lawyer interested in providing legal assistance? Click this form to help!

KAMA DC (https://www.kamadc.org)/) has put together an extensive list of local efforts to assist Afghans arriving in the DMV (Maryland/DC/Virginia) area.

o There are donation portals, and volunteer opportunities, Useful information. Please find the list here.
o sign up here to volunteer with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) who are resettling Afghan newcomers. Volunteer for airport pickup, apartment setups, and/or meals for Afghans.
o Pashto and Dari INTERPRETERS are needed to assist Afghans arriving for resettlement at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Please email: hdmrc@fairfaxcounty.gov with subject line “Afghan Interpreters.”
o Pashto and Dari INTERPRETERS are needed immediately at NOVA Community College in Annandale, Virginia. Volunteers are asked to show up ASAP at 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA.

Additional Resources:
• Evacuate our Allies: https://www.evacuateourallies.org/ A plan to evacuate American affiliated Afghans
• UNHCR: Afghanistan Situation External Update - 16 August 2021
• IRAP: Am I eligible for the new Afghan refugee program?
• Human Rights First: Evading the Misuse of Biometric Data
• Truman National Security Project: No one wanted the war to continue, but it didn’t have to end like this.
• IRAP (International Refugee Assist ance Project): refugeerights.org Information for NGO and Media Employers of Afghans about the P-2 Refugee Program
Short link: https://bit.ly/CWSAfghanResources

Afghanistan Support Resource Guide: Here is a good resource guide that lists a few different options.

More Resources:
1. Afghan Coordination Task Force Call Center : There has been success in effort to expedite applications and a real person does answer the phone. ACTF 202-485 1888 for info about ATF TF3@state.gov;
2. For current efforts of NGOs and other orgs cooperating to help with evacuation: check out “Afghan Support Group” on Facebook.

3. For helping women who are under threat find shelterwww.ICRC.org.

A number of contractors have set up websites and email addresses to help their former employees. Here is an example: I came across this resource document prepared by Chemonics. Very well done.
https://chemonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Afghanistan_PublicResourceGuide.pdf

Here is ta partial Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances published on:
08/29/2021, Office of the Spokesperson

.....We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country. We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding. https://www.state.gov/press-releases/

View more helpful Afghan Rescue information here

Thank you for responding to me about helping our Afghan friends and contributing to the resources listed above, I hope our persistent sustained effort will help get them to safety very soon.

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One of the most important element of applying for a position with a firm in the international development sector is to have a CV/resume that is easy to review for everyone in the employer's organization. That includes the first line recruiters, the Hiring Agent and all the way to the CEO of the firm. In the US, most International Development sector organization seem to prefer the longer, more detailed, chronological format resumes. This is quite different than the short one-page resumes that businesses in the private sector prefer. The employers in this sector also need a set of critical information to be within each professional entries that quickly shows the applicant meets the minimum qualifications requirements listed on the position description. This information is comprised of six items listed in detail below and, as a regular blogger on this site, I will come back to it often as it is an important tool, critical to bringing applicants to the short list of the hiring agents....

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Aines presenting at Foreign Policy Association program in Boston April 22, 2012
On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, I will be in Boston providing an instructional program titled "Landing a Job in International Development". The program is being sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association that is offering several multi-city program (also being offered in New York City during April) addressing how careers in international development offer excitement and the chance to work toward the greater good.

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Meet Linda Aines December 5, 2011
(a partial biography) Hi, my name is Linda Aines. I am an independent recruiter that specializes in International Development and foreign projects. I am hired by US contractors to USAID, or other large Donor organizations, or government entities that have projects in various developing countries. I own my own business, Aines International that provides recruitment services and some HR services for International Development Organizations. My current involvement in the International Development Sector has gradually evolved over the past 20 years. As an Associate Professor at the University of Vermont (UVM), I became more and more involved in international trade and in developing resources for businesses. From 1990 to 2002, I served as Business and Export Specialist at the University of Vermont (UVM) and developed & implemented an Export Assistance Program for small businesses. The Program served as resource center, which provided marketing and export assistance and education, for...

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How to Have A Better Resume for International Development August 26, 2011
How to Have a Better Resume for International Development Job Applications Among the most important elements of applying for a position with a firm in the international development sector, is to present a CV/resume that is easy to review for everyone in the organization you are applying to. That includes the first line recruiters, the Hiring Agent and all the way to the CEO of the firm. In the US, most International Development sector organization seem to prefer the longer, more detailed, chronological format resumes. This is quite different than the short one-page resumes that businesses in the private sector prefer. The hiring agents in the development sector need information that quickly shows the applicant meets the minimum qualifications requirements listed on the position description. This can be easily be shown in the bold headings of each professional entries with a set of quick critical pieces of information that gives the readers critical information. This information is...

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