AfghanEvac Coalition urged United States to help Americans waiting in Afghanistan

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Members of the AfghanEvac Coalition met in a video call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to press the case for additional resources to help tens of thousands of people get out of Afghanistan. Point to be noted that AfghanEvac Coalition is working to evacuate people who could be targeted by the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan. The coalition appealed for more assistance from the US government and other nations as conditions deteriorate in the country. Afghanistan is experiencing a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis in addition to a precarious security situation following the US withdrawal. Participants said they were grateful for every support the State Department has done so far, including helping to arrange a series of evacuation flights for US citizens and residents since the withdrawal, but more will be needed in the months ahead.

A former Marine, Peter Lucier said, “The State Department doing enough isn’t enough; we need whole of government solutions; we need the international community to step up and we need it quickly. Winter is coming. There is a famine already”. Private organizations’ ties to the veteran community have played an important role in the evacuation and resettlement of tens of thousands of Afghans since the US ended its longest war and the government fell to the Taliban. More than 82,000 people have come to the US so far under what the Biden administration calls Operation Allies Welcome. The Department of Homeland Security said 10% were American citizens or permanent residents. The rest were a combination of people who had obtained special immigrant visas. DHS said about 46,000 are still being housed at domestic US military bases.

The AfghanEvac Coalition has urged the US government to establish more of the “Lilly pads” and work with other nations to create more pathways for people to reach safety. Aid agencies said about 300,000 have fled Afghanistan into Iran, including many members of Shiite communities seeking refuge from both the Taliban and attacks by the Islamic State affiliate in the country. The meeting takes place against a backdrop of intense criticism by some Republicans in Congress, attacking a frantic evacuation. It was set in motion by President Donald Trump’s decision to sign a peace deal with the Taliban and set a withdrawal date. They have also alleged the US administration of understating the number of American citizens left behind.