Week of Action Fall 2021

THE AFGHAN REFUGEE CRISIS

WEEK Of Action: OCT 4th-7tH, 2021

Delta Phi Epsilon, the University of Southern California's International Relations Society, hosted a Week of Action to address the Afghan Refugee Crisis.

In response to the 9/11 attacks, the US military intervened in Afghanistan and pushed out the Taliban in an attempt to get ahold of Osama bin Laden, who was under their protection. The US remained in Afghanistan following this initial invasion to hold back the Taliban and train Afghan forces to be able to eventually take over. Since 2015, there has been a resurgence in attacks by Taliban forces.

In February 2020, President Trump made a deal with Taliban leaders, where the United States agreed to leave in return for the Taliban promising not to harbor terrorists and directly negotiate with the Afghan government. In August 2021, the final 2,500 American troops were withdrawn under President Biden. The Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban has swept power across the country and in Kabul, the capital.

US military forces since airlifted 123,000 Afghans out of the country, adding to the 2.2 million Afghans already international's displaced by conflict. Although many nations have opened their borders to Afghan refugees, most have imposted quotas, limiting the number of Afghans who can escape the Taliban.

Despite promises to uphold women’s rights, many women and girls now lack access to healthcare and education. Around half the population, 18 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance. One in three Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from.

FUndraising for The Afghan refugee Crisis

Through Instagram Bingo and tabling, Delta Phi Epsilon worked to fundraise for the Newcomers Access Center (NAC). This organization plans to use the money to provide pillows, sleeping bags, car seats, cribs, and more to help house 40+ incoming Afghan refugees in the LA area. We also partnered with USC’s Afghan Student Association (ASA) to fundraise as part of a semester-long partnership.

In total, we raised $1,171.69 for the Newcomers Access Center (NAC) in an effort to help the cause.

Read about the Newcomers Access Center here

Watch this video about Newcomers Access Center’s work with refugees

Professor Panel: Discussion on Housing refugees in Los Angeles

 We hosted a Zoom discussion with Newcomers Access Center on Afghan refugee resettlement efforts in the Los Angeles area! NAC was founded to service refugees new to the area and expanded to include immigrant families in the Inland Empire community. Currently, they are assisting 40+ Afghan refugees secure housing and food in the LA area. Our guest speaker, Sandra Hester, has significant experience working for nonprofit organizations and has previously served as a public affairs director for a national service organization, producer for a TV program, research associate, and founder of a west coast Think Tank..