Over the past year, we’ve witnessed events that will go down in history – for reasons good and bad. The swelling Afghan crisis is just one of the struggles we’ve had to face as a global community, and one that we should continue to show our support for where possible. These are some of the ways you can help, the charities you can support and campaigns you can get involved with.
Afghan Crisis: How You Can Help (& Who’s Doing What?)
Earlier this year, coalition forces in Afghanistan withdrew, enabling the Taliban to rapidly advance and take control of the country. It is estimated that over 116,000 civilians have been killed or injured in Afghanistan since 2009, with 18.4 million now in need of humanitarian support.
An estimated 3.5 million Afghans are displaced within the country, with many now living in large cities like Kabul. Those who have been displaced internationally – an estimated 2.5 million – have largely opted for Iran and Pakistan, but thousands still travel far away from their home country to European countries like the UK.
When faced with continual bad news, it can seem difficult to focus on how to make the situation better. As a global community, it’s important that we reach out where we can to help those in need, wherever they may be. Whether it’s by making a donation, volunteering directly with charities and displaced communities, setting up fundraisers or just spreading the word, every little act of kindness helps.
Many charities and organisations have stepped up to the plate when it comes to providing aid for those still in Afghanistan and those now displaced as a result of the ongoing violence. You can support their work today through multiple means:
Turquoise Mountain has been working in Afghanistan for over 15 years, growing to a community of 200 dedicated staff, over 4,000 talented artisans, hundreds of students and thousands of families who all work together to create a better future. The charity has now set up a specific emergency appeal for Afghanistan, which will provide food, supplies and healthcare services for children and families in the country. turquoisemountain.org
Emergency Aid for Victims of the Taliban Attacks is a fundraiser that supports the Baba Mazari Foundation (BMF), who in turn has partnered with World Hazara Council, Hazara international and the Hazara Committee to provide emergency aid to the victims of the Taliban crisis in different parts of Afghanistan. gofundme.com
Sanitary Products for Displaced Afghan Women is a fundraiser organised by the Educate a Child for Change Organisation (ECCO). It helps women and girls on the streets of Kabul gain access to menstrual products. gofundme.com
Women for Afghan Women‘s main ethos has been to protect and promote the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls but has recently stepped up to help evacuate and provide urgent care for those fleeing the country. Advocating for women’s rights and independency, the charity challenges gender-based norms and calls out against violence. womenforafghanwomen.org
International Rescue Committee started providing aid in Afghanistan as early as 1988, providing vital support to Afghans who have endured four decades of violent conflict, natural disasters and more recently the spread of COVID-19. rescue-uk.org
(c) Getty Images
Choose Love is one of the most well-known organisations for refugee aid in the world. The charity sends 89 per cent of its donations to frontline organisations and NGOs working with refugees (mostly in Northern France, Greece and Serbia), providing aid and supplies to those living in vulnerable conditions on European borders. You can also become a volunteer for Choose Love, or donate valuable items such as tents, sleeping bags, boxer shorts and women’s underwear. chooselove.org
Refugee Action helps refugees and migrants in the UK currently undergoing the asylum process. Their work spans integrating new arrivals into their community, supporting them as they access house support and fighting against hate speech and violence aimed towards migrants and refugees. The charity also encourages fundraisers such as Race for Refugees, which allows those taking part to set up a one-off or weekly running event for donations. refugee-action.org.uk
Refugee Council supports displaced people through the asylum application system, which is often a very slow and arduous process. The charity also works with landlords and volunteers across the UK to offer living spaces to stay in until asylum is guaranteed. Donations and volunteers are welcome, and you can sign up to see if you’re eligible to host families or single adults. refugeecouncil.org.uk
Shows & Events Raising Money for Afghan Charities
#DrawForAfghanistan
DrawFor is the not-for-profit social enterprise who uses its platform to support charities all over the world. In its latest campaign, #DrawForAfghanistan, DrawFor partnered with Jelly London to curate an online exhibition of exclusive prints. 100% of profits will go to the charity Choose Love, who provide aid to Afghan refugees on every step of their journey into a new life. drawfor.org
Image: Hope, Love, Help by JEMIMASARA. Courtesy of the artist and DrawFor.
Designer fashion brand YOLKE has partnered with Choose Love this autumn to bring to life the AW21 LOVE Collection, made up of Victoriana style blouses and prairie skirts. One of the highlights of the collection, the LOVE Shirt, features a cute heart shape finished with a delicate pleat – bringing a feminine touch to the tailored piece. 10 per cent of sales from each LOVE Shirt will be going to Choose Love, who work to provide emergency aid and long term solutions to those who need it. yolke.co.uk
Purslane, the virtual gallery selling art that simultaneously supports young artists and philanthropic causes, has two shows running this year in aid of charities working with Afghan communities. The Healing Wound exhibition, currently running online, is showing a selection of artwork with 25 per cent of all sales going towards Turquoise Mountain’s Afghanistan relief fund. The gallery’s first in-person show, Thesmophoria (held at Soho Revue in London throughout October), will also be raising funds in support of the Women for Women’s Afghanistan relief fund to help female survivors of war. purslane.co.uk
Image: Untitled by Ming Ying. Courtesy of the artist and Purslane.
RA x War Child x Choose Love: Afghanistan Fundraiser
Online music magazine and community platform Resident Advisor has partnered with The Right To Dance (War Child’s newest music-led fundraising movement) to host an Afghanistan Emergency Fundraiser. Featuring DJs and musical talent from multiple genres and sounds, as well as a curated group of emerging talent, the show invited partygoers to ‘rave to an all-star lineup and raise funds for the crisis in Afghanistan’. The event will be raising money for War Child, Choose Love and the National Institute of Music In Kabul, providing assistance to those in Afghanistan and internationally. Thursday 21 October 2021 at The Cause, Ashley House Depot, Ashley Rd, London N17 9LZ. ra.co
