The developments in Afghanistan have been heartbreaking.
It’s easy to feel helpless, but there are actions we can take.
As the Taliban entrench their hold on the nation, tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and face an uncertain future.
Despite an outpouring of public support for the plight of people who need to flee Afghanistan, the Australian Government’s position has not changed from its initial commitment of providing 3,000 refugee spaces from within Australia’s existing humanitarian program.
The situation changes daily, but together we have a chance to act now and help people get support and safety.
As people of faith, prayer is our first and last action. But there’s more we must do.
Here’s three actions you can take to help:
1. Join Christians United for Afghanistan
Add your voice and call on the Australian Government to welcome a special intake of an additional 20,000 Afghan refugees, and to support the ongoing wellbeing of Afghan refugees through greater humanitarian aid. The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has endorsed and signed. Click here to add your voice.
2. Donate to help provide food, shelter and safety to people who need it
Your donation will support churches working together through the ACT Alliance to assist about 50,000 uprooted families in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. The priority for support will be food, shelter, household items and health care supplies. Click here to donate now.
3. Write to your Member of Parliament
Whenever we speak to MPs about the value of Australian Aid to help end extreme poverty or Australia’s leadership role in humanitarian crises, they often tell us that they rarely hear it from their constituents (and that they need to). Your voice matters.
Here’s a template you can use to draft a letter to your federal MP (we encourage you to edit and make your own). You can find the contact details of your MP on the Parliament of Australia website here.
50 church leaders co-signed a letter to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke advocating for more action on Afghanistan. Click here to read full letter.