Twin tragedies: How to help
I'm no expert on Haiti or Afghanistan, so I turn to people who ARE.
The twin tragedies of Haiti and Afghanistan and how to help
We are watching two tragedies unfold, and in keeping with how weird time has felt for the past 18 months, #ThanksCOVID, they seem to be happening both in the blink of an eye and in horrible slow motion. Probably because we can’t know what will happen, but we know it’s not over.
Unlike the rest of the Internet, I’m still not an epidemiologist, and I’m also not an expert on all things Haiti or Afghanistian. I’ve been to Haiti once, but still…not an expert. Maybe another time I’ll share my thoughts on how we got here and who’s to blame for what, but for now I’ve turned to people I know who DO follow what’s happening in these two countries that have already suffered so much. These are some of the organizations they are recommending you direct your donations and outreach to, if you are moved to help:
Haiti:
Source: Global Giving (GG is one of the recurring donations I make each month, and my go-to resource to find locally-focused organizations and relief plans.)
Source: Sloane Davidson, who runs Hello Neighbor, a refugee settlement organization in Pittsburgh, and has a team member with a partner on the ground in Haiti:
WritetoBe (They make cash grants to women and girls.)
Hope for Haiti 95% of donations go to core programs, and they have disaster kits and emergency relief plans already in place.
Fonkoze Microfinance for women
Source: Leticia Barr who has been doing work and advocacy in and about Haiti for years:
Hero Rescue Medvac flight rescue in Haiti
Haiti Air Ambulance Emergency helicopter services in Haiti
Afghanistan:
Much of my personal concern is focused on two groups: The people who aided the US government and military throughout our two decades there, and who now have targets on their backs, and women and girls, who are going to be on the losing end of every decision the Taliban makes as a governing force. Here are orgs. focused in these areas.
Source: Global Giving: (GG is one of the recurring donations I make each month, and my go-to resource to find locally-focused organizations and relief plans.)
Source: My friend Susan McPherson (Susan is on the board of the UNHCR, the UN’s Refugee Agency.) This is part of a much longer list, but I’m focused on the most basic of emergency needs here:
Afghan Aid is responding with emergency assistance, supporting families who have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the conflict.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched a campaign to provide life-saving aid, provide emergency cash assistance, and protection services for internally displaced people in Kabul.
USA for UNHCRis focusing on support to those fleeing as there are already 550,000 displaced Afghans this year even before these past few weeks.
Afghan Women and Children and Jalala foundation have teamed up to protect women and children fighting to survive following decades of war
Urgent Crisis Relief for Afghanistan 2021 is supporting the families of those putting their lives at risk and fighting for Afghanistan and displaced families.
Support to Families Displaced by Taliban Violence is helping families experiencing extreme food insecurity and lack of access to clean water.
Crisis in Afghanistan assists the work of Afghan Learning Academy, which has been providing food, shelter, blankets, tents, and other first-aid essentials to newly displaced families.
Afghanistan: A Call For Urgent Help is providing clean drinking water, shelter, clothing, food, and basic hygiene products to families in association with Rashid Khan’s Foundation, Srow Zar Children, and the Afghan Cricket Association.
Did I miss any great organizations you vouch for? Leave a comment and add them to the list.
Last week-ish
Last week The Op-Ed Page podcast also returned from its July vacation, with a cheery episode…oh, who am I kidding? First I talked about how my dreams of a #hotvaxsummer have instead been interrupted by the #DeltaDont variant. I think a world of hurt is on its way for a whole bunch of people living in a whole bunch of denial, and I guess I’m glad compassion fatigue hasn’t atrophied my empathy muscle, because I feel very sad about that.
I also vented for a bit about the RIDONKULOUS gubernatorial recall effort here in California, brought to you by the party who no longer wants to accept a little thing like losing by a landslide. Mostly, though, I share my philosophy about messaging, and how in today’s political game, it’s less about fence-sitters, it’s more about firing up the ideologically aligned but mentally disconnected (or disaffected).
I also published another column over at the Kinder Beauty Blog, this time about the three products I use to tame and enhance my eyebrows. Yes. EYEBROWS, people, they’re critical. Especially when we’re mostly communicating via online video these days. I have always said I can like politics and shoes, technology and make-up, and I’m here to live that value out loud. Read all about my brows HERE.
Coming this week-ish
This week I’m excited to be interviewing Lynn Harris for next week’s podcast episode. Lynn is a humor writer-turned-entrepreneur who has launched a new school (Gold Comedy) for women and girls who aspire to be comedians, comedy writers, or just better leverage humor to get where they want to go. Sometimes it feels like humor doesn’t have a place in today’s world, and sometimes it feels like it’s all we’ve got. I’m hoping Lynn helps me balance those feelings a little better than I have been!
I’m attending the 19th Summit all week (virtually, of course) and I believe you can still sign up if interested. Today I heard from Speaker Pelosi, Secretary of the Interior Deb Halaand, and many more political changemakers…the next few days look to be just as inspiring across other topics, like sports, culture, business, etc. Check it out.
Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on all of the above. This is basically my blog now! And as always I appreciate a share of this newsletter or my podcast.
And if I can help you break through the things that are keeping you stuck, set up your first introductory 30-minute consult for free by booking it in my Calendly.