As the Taliban swept into Kabul and took nearly complete control of Afghanistan over the weekend, fear and uncertainty washed over many in the nation, as well as those watching from afar, such as Afghans in the Bay Area with family and friends still trapped in the country, and other residents concerned and frustrated over the unfolding chaos.
Many are wondering how they can help the situation from the U.S. Below is a list of Bay Area organizations working to aid people coming to the U.S. after fleeing Afghanistan, along with information on how you can help. There is also information for government representatives you can contact if you need help trying to get a family member or loved one out of Afghanistan.
Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay: The organization expects to help resettle more than 60 people fleeing Afghanistan by the end of this month, and have already helped about 40 people, including six large families, find homes in the region, according to a spokesperson. Nearly three dozen others were expected this week but had their travel plans cancelled.
To help with resettlement efforts, you can give your time, money, or goods. To volunteer to assist case managers with tasks such as airport pickups, signing up refugees for their social services benefits, registering children for school, and providing language support, fill out a Community Sponsorship Groups form. Financial donations to the organization are accepted through their website. The organization also has an active Amazon wish list, where you can purchase items, which will be distributed to refugees.
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley: In the South Bay, the organization expects to resettle about 25 people from Afghanistan by the end of the month, according to a spokesperson. You can make cash donations through their separate PayPal website to help support staffing needs, as refugee resettlement is expected to increase.
There is also a thorough list of people at the organization you can contact by phone or email if you want to volunteer directly, help refugees find housing, jobs, or donate furniture in great condition, among other ways to help.
International Rescue Committee Northern California: The IRC has offices in both Oakland and San Jose, and the organization has resettled more than 16,000 Afghan refugees through the Special Immigrant Visa program established by the U.S. in 2006, more than half of those in California, according to the IRC website. IRC Northern California is raising $150,000 toward its “Afghan Soft Landing Fund,” which will be used to cover emergency temporary housing costs, and rental and utility assistance for refugee families. Donate here.
The AFG Diaspora Hub has compiled a list of international charities and nonprofit organizations working to help people in Afghanistan, including the Women’s Regional Network, Doctors Without Borders, and United Nations’ Refugee Agency.
GlobalGiving has also established an Afghanistan Emergency Fund, which will distribute the money collected to vetted nonprofits working in the region.
For those in the Bay Area who have loved ones in Afghanistan, and are looking for help in getting them out, contact your local member of Congress, either via an online form requesting help with a federal agency, phone, or email to get caseworker assistance. Afghan nationals who worked directly for the U.S., or with the U.S. and/or its allies either as an interpreter or contractor, are eligible to apply for a Special Immigrant Visa. Staff members of your local Congressmember can help you start an application, or track one already submitted, officials said.
Below are links and points of contact for Bay Area members of Congress:
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s 11th District Office:
440 Civic Center Plaza
2nd Floor
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: (510) 620-1000
Fax: (510) 620-1005
Link for help with a federal agency
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s 12th District Office:
90 7th Street
Suite 2-800
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 556-4862
Link for help with a federal agency
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s 13th District Office:
1 Kaiser Plaza, Suite 1010
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-763-0370
Link for help with a federal agency
Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s 14th District Office:
155 Bovet Rd Suite 780
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 342-0300
Fax: (650) 375-8270
Link for help with a federal agency
Congressman Eric Swalwell’s 15th District Office (accepting walk-ins during business hours):
20990 Redwood Road
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: 510-370-3322
Link for help with a federal agency
Congressman Ro Khanna’s 17th District Office:
3150 De La Cruz Blvd
Suite 240
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 408-436-2720
Fax: 408-436-2721
Link for help with a federal agency
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s 18th District Office:
698 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Telephone: (650) 323-2984 or
(408) 245-2339 or (831) 335-2020
Fax: (650) 323-3498
Link for help with a federal agency
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s 19th District Office:
San Jose
635 North First Street Suite B
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 271-8700
Link for help with a federal agency
Have a resource you’d like to see added to this list? Email reporter Joseph Geha at jgeha@bayareanewsgroup.com.
