Afghanistan: What’s going on & a way to help
It can be very challenging to see the news, open up your apps, or listen to the radio and hear about some of the absolutely horrible things going on in the world...and feel completely helpless.
The collapse of the Afghan National Army to the Taliban, only 11 days after US troops exited Afghanistan, and the images of the Afghan people piling into planes attempting to seek refuge and safety are devastating.
Here’s a quick recap:
On August 15th, Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan is overtaken by the Taliban. Chaos erupts at the Kabul airport as desperate Afghans try to leave the country and a new era of uncertainty begins. (NPR)
At a press conference on Aug. 17, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promises an inclusive government, security for aid agencies and embassies, and women's rights to work and go to school — within his group's interpretation of sharia law. (NPR)
Evidence of Taliban killings, detentions and intimidation is emerging across Afghanistan, ominously contradicting the hardline Islamist group’s promise not to take revenge against its opponents. (The Guardian)
With thousands of people still thronging the airport, the Taliban urges unity [and a] Taliban official told Reuters it would be accountable for its actions and investigate reports of reprisals and atrocities carried out by members. “We have heard of some cases of atrocities and crimes against civilians,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If Talibs [members] are doing these law and order problems, they will be investigated.
“We can understand the panic, stress and anxiety. People think we will not be accountable, but that will not be the case.” (The Guardian)
[On US involvement & efforts] Afghanistan is a country of numerous tribes, languages, ethnicities and religious sects, and Washington and its NATO allies were attempting to turn it into a unified democracy premised on largely Western values. (CNBC)
[On the Afghan National Army] Chronic challenges plagued the Afghan military from illiteracy to corruption to incompetence, [and limited training & resources, no time off, high death rate, high turnover, lack of leadership] to one of the key problems: a lack of faith in the Kabul government. (NPR)
In the past week the United States has evacuated 17,000 people, including 2,500 Americans, from Kabul. (Reuters)
Here is one way we've found to help support:
Operation Flyaway: Emergency flight rescue of Afghan souls working alongside humanitarian aid groups, decorated military veterans, and activists on the ground, fighting to save people who otherwise have no chance at survival in the Taliban-occupied Kabul.
Here is how these funds will be prioritized and dispersed:
GoFundMe → Raven Advisory LLC → International Women’s Media Foundation → vetted organizations to support resettlement.
This is just one way we've found to help. If you have others, please share with us directly by emailing us at info@fwdcollective.io and we will be sure to do everything we can to help spread the word.
Resources:
If you're interested in learning more about the current situation or the history of the Afghanistan conflict here are a few articles:
The Afghan Army Collapsed In Days. Here Are The Reasons Why (NPR)
A Look At Afghanistan's 40 Years Of Crisis — From The Soviet War To Taliban Recapture (NPR)
The Taliban knocked on her door 3 times. The fourth time, they killed her (CNN)
Taliban fire in the air to control crowd at Kabul airport (Reuters)
Afghanistan reports of torture and killing contradict Taliban’s promises (The Guardian)
‘Intelligence failure of the highest order’ — How Afghanistan fell to the Taliban so quickly (CNBC)