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Dear
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A
young female journalist forced into hiding in
Afghanistan had one request for those listening
around the world.
“Please pray
for me”, she asked.
Her life had
been obliterated overnight -- she could
no longer write under her own name, or say where
she was. She didn't know if she’d see
her family again, or whether she’d even
survive.
She’s not alone. Since the US
announced they're leaving and the Taliban swept
across Afghanistan, thousands are living
in fear and hiding underground. Some
have clung onto airplanes in a desperate bid to
escape, and devastating bomb attacks
just killed dozens of people at Kabul
airport.
Our movement
can not look away.
The Taliban
have said foreign forces have to withdraw from
the country by Tuesday, which means
every day counts to help save
lives. A group of organisations and
activists are determined to keep delivering
critical services even beyond this deadline,
despite the risks to them and their colleagues.
But they need our urgent support and
they need it now.
Millions of us
are getting this email -- if only a few of us
chipped in, we could help provide food
and life-saving medical supplies to the most
vulnerable, keep hospitals, maternity
wards and safehouses open, and even help those
most at risk reach safety.
Chip in now --
100% of the funds we raise will go to
groups doing all they can to protect Afghan
lives:
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The
people of Afghanistan have been through more
than most of us could ever imagine.
Whole generations have been trapped in
senseless wars and foreign
invasion, kids born into conflict,
refugee camps, or under brutally repressive
rule. But many have fought for their most
basic of rights -- the right for girls to go to
school, women to go to work, and for all to live
free from abuse. And now, they’re
terrified they've been abandoned, and fear a
Taliban government could see them lose
everything they've poured blood, sweat,
and tears into trying to build. It's not
just foreign troops pulling out. Big donors have
also frozen funds. But humanitarian aid,
already desperately needed before the
insurgency, is now absolutely critical
to support the most vulnerable inside the
country, providing urgent shelter from the
Taliban, and getting Afghans to
safety. That’s where we come in. If
enough of us chip in today, we can:
- fund groups delivering food,
water, shelter, and medical supplies to
vulnerable communities and those displaced;
- support local refugee
responses in neighbouring countries and
elsewhere welcoming thousands of refugees;
- keep hospital units and
maternity wards open offering medical
assistance in sometimes hard to access
areas;
- support organisations
offering legal assistance with asylum
applications and other protection pathways;
- help local women’s groups
organising an escape route, and setting
up safehouses for women and girls in
danger.
Let’s stand with all those
Afghans fearful for their lives. They urgently
need solidarity from people all across the
globe. Let’s not let them down -- chip
in now: |
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This
community has come together in so many moments
of crisis and supported those on the frontlines,
at risk of losing their lives. Whether it’s
getting urgent food and medical supplies to
vulnerable and forgotten communities during
Covid-19, providing life-saving support to those
caught up in conflicts in Yemen, or standing
with Maasai communities facing hunger, we’ve
refused to look away. Let’s stand with
Afghanistan today.
With hope and
gratitude,
Sarah, Marigona, John,
Mouhamad, Adela, Aloys, Will, Bert and the
entire Avaaz team
Note: The
situation in Afghanistan is highly unstable,
requiring groups to constantly reassess their
operations and timelines. If we can't
use the money we raise to help Afghans because
of that, we'll be in touch with other options
for repurposing those funds or offer you a
refund. |
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