Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland is preparing to embrace some of the Afghani refugees and their families who are being evacuated from their country under the Special Immigrant Visa program.
Often, these refugees and their families have no place to stay, no money and nothing to eat when they arrive, so the Catholic Charities Office of Migration and Refugee Services assists them. Those interested in helping these vulnerable families can visit the Catholic Charities MRS website or call 216-939-3731 for information on how to donate the most-needed personal and household items. Click here to make a financial donation that will help MRS assist the evacuees, or contact Debra Sudy, 216-696-6525, Ext. 3670 or dsudy@catholiccommunity.org.
The Catholic Charities MRS, which operates under the guidance of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is part of an extensive Catholic refugee resettlement network that includes more than 100 diocesan offices across the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. Locally, MRS has been welcoming newly arriving refugees in the Diocese of Cleveland for decades and through different humanitarian crises that cause individuals to flee their homeland for safety.
MRS has welcomed more than 100 evacuated people from Afghanistan through the SIV program, initiated by the U.S. military in 2009. Many Afghanis have worked alongside U.S. troops, diplomats and other government employees as interpreters, cultural advisors and drivers for more than 20 years.
With the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghan allies and their families have become targets and are in grave danger of retaliation from the Taliban. Now, thousands of evacuated Afghanis flee to military bases to save the lives of those who worked side-by-side with U.S. armed forces.
Locally, in the coming weeks, Catholic Charities is preparing to embrace some of these Afghanis and their families who are in the SIV program.
Catholic Charities officials said that inspired by the Gospel, the organization recognizes the dignity of each person created in the image of Christ by providing a supportive environment. They also celebrate each individual and culture. Building upon the courage, resilience and strength of these newcomers, Catholic Charities seeks to empower them to achieve self-sufficiency and independence.
CNS photos by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters