By Hannah Connolly
resident Joe Biden has stood resolute in his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. In a press conference on Monday night from the White House, the President stated “there was never a good time to withdraw US forces.” The statement came after the president was forced to cut short a trip to Camp David to return to Washington.
Since Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, fell to Taliban forces on Monday the city’s airport has been flooded by citizens seeking to escape, some pictured desperately clinging to the wings of outbound planes, while reports suggest at least 7 people have been killed in the panic. Two men were reportedly killed by the US army after breaching the airport perimeters.
“American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war,” Biden continued at Monday night's press conference, “and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves.”
President Biden is facing intense backlash over the turmoil unfolding in Afghanistan with The Wall Street Journal describing the President's speech as “one of the most shameful in history by a commander-in-chief.”
"There are an estimated 18.4 million people in immediate need of help as a matter of urgency of which 8.2 million are children"
According to World Vision, there are an estimated 18.4 million people in immediate need of help as a matter of urgency of which 8.2 million are children, many of whom were displaced as they made attempts to flee the sweeping force of the Taliban army.
Just a few hours ago videos have emerged of brave Afghan women demonstrating against the Taliban for the first time since militants seized the capital on Sunday. The women can be seen holding up signs demanding that the Taliban observe their rights.
Here’s how you can help:
Write to your local MP
Parliament is being recalled on Wednesday 18th of August in order for ministers to discuss the situation and the actions the UK will take in response.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) has reported that over 2,500 Afghan people are waiting to be granted refugee status in the UK and has urged the British Government to follow in the footsteps of the Canadian Government that has promised to resettle a target of 20,000 Afghan refugees.
You can find your local MP here and use this template* to contact them.
Charities you can donate to:
Afghan Aid
Afghan Aid is providing emergency support to families whose lives have been turned upside down by the crisis. This comes in the form of financial support, food, hygiene kits and lamps, for which they are now urgently calling for donations as part of their Crisis Appeal. The charity is also providing assistance to remote rural communities who are now struggling to source food. Donate here
Islamic Relief
Islamic Relief has been working on the ground in Afghanistan for the last 20 years and have been raising awareness and supporting Afghan women facing gender-based violence for decades.
They are currently fundraising to provide emeregncy support for displaced families with hygiene and water storage kits, food packages and emergency shelter. Donate here
Women for Afghan Women
Women for Afghan Women have been working in Afghanistan for over two decades. As the crisis there unfolds, they are evacuating their centers and working day and night to provide shelter and resources to women and children across the country who are now displaced after fleeing the Taliban.
Donate here
Rukshana Agency
Named after a woman who was stoned to death by the Taliban in 2015, journalist Zahara Joya founded Rukshana Media to produce news from the perspective of women, working with a small team of five reporters and volunteers.
“Over the past seven years, I have worked as a journalist for various Afghan media outlets. Often the only woman in the room, I understood early on that women’s views are not considered and our voices are routinely sidelined” said the founder.
To continue reporting from the ground to ensure women's voices and issues do not go unheard in the global community Zahara Joya is now urgently fundraising. Donate here
"It must not be forgotten that citizens of Afghanistan, mainly its women and children face imminent and life threatening danger"
*The template used in this article was created by @aryafah on twitter.
How to help the people of Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban insurgency
By Hannah Connolly
The Stack speaks exclusively with Greek designer Mary Katrantzou on her new Lipsy London collection, welcoming indecision, and unlocking a new sense of bravery since becoming a mother.
In 2012, Dr Torfeh was appointed as the UN Director of the Strategic Communication and Spokespersons Unit in Afghanistan. Here she shares her expertise with The Stack on the power shifts she thinks will occur there following the West’s recent withdrawal.
