The U.S. government in partnership with humanitarian organizations has helped resettle thousands of America’s Afghan allies who faced danger following the end of the U.S. operations in Afghanistan in 2021.
At a recent reception honoring those who’ve helped Afghan refugees, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized the extraordinary risks so many Afghans took to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive country:
“They fought for equal rights for women and girls, for freedom of religion, for democracy. And so many, over years, especially the 20 years preceding the Taliban takeover, worked side by side with U.S. diplomats, U.S. soldiers, with international organizations, with others – all with the purpose of advancing progress for the Afghan people.”
When President Biden ended the war in Afghanistan, he made a commitment that the United States would always stand with its Afghan partners, including by continuing to facilitate their relocation and resettlement.
In 2021, when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, people from around the world jumped into action to evacuate America’s Afghan partners and their families.
Over the last three years, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, Kosovo, the Philippines, and other countries have all provided safe haven for Afghans on their way to their new homes.
Nonprofit organizations and resettlement agencies have worked across the United States to support refugees – enrolling kids in local schools; connecting people to English classes; offering a warm meal; and showing a new family around town.
Last year, the United States grew its collaboration with #AfghanEvac and it’s 200-member coalition of organizations and nonprofits, said Secretary Blinken:
“Together, we’ve pooled resources. We’ve made the resettlement processes more efficient than they were. We coordinated our efforts more closely with other civil society groups. As a result of these partnerships, as a result of this extraordinary effort, nearly twice as many Afghans came to the United States in 2024 than the year before.”
Altogether, since 2021, the U.S. has reunited thousands of Afghan families and relocated and resettled more than 180,000 Afghans. Nevertheless, much more remains to be done for Afghans already in the U.S. and for those who are still on the way. As Secretary Blinken said, “There’s more work to be done. We all know that. [So], let’s do it.”
