Dear Friends,

Afghanistan is becoming the world’s largest humanitarian crisis after the fall of Kabul. With a harsh winter on its way, 22.8 million people could face acute risk, while 8.7 million face emergency levels of hunger – a record in the ten years since the UN has been conducting food security analyses in Afghanistan. Adding to the tragedy of total absence of governance, escalating forced displacement by Taliban, the total collapse of public services, and a deepening economic and banking crisis that have driven the entire country to complete collapse. This situation is driving more and more people to seek shelter abroad, a significant number are arriving to US desperately, thanks to the US government resettlement program.

It is a heartbreaking fact for me, that the Ayenda Foundation is no longer able to continue its longstanding successful operation in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. For the safety of our staff and children we have suspended operation in Bamiyan, for now. Regretfully, Ayenda school is presently closed, most of our teachers are in hiding or in safer places outside country, our precious little girls are no longer allowed to continue their education. However, Ayenda is committed with its effort to continue helping the Afghan children despite all the challenges and no matter where they live.

Thus, Ayenda Foundation has shifted its immediate focus to provide support to the Afghan Refugee children that arrived in the DC Metropolitan Area through collaboration with the Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSDCA). LSSNCA is the largest resettlement agency in our region that oversees the resettlement of the Afghan refugees in the DC/Virginia/Maryland Area engaged in multiple programs to benefit Afghan refugees, including children. LSSNCA has welcomed nearly 2,000 Afghan refugees since July 1. They are on track to welcome upwards of 1,400 more by 2022.

Afghan refugees are suffering from the trauma of escaping the brutalities of the Taliban regime and enduring unimaginable strife in their efforts to seek a better life for themselves and their families. They have lost everything: their home, their country, culture, and heritage – while they carry the pain of their past with them, they must make room for the growing pains of having to enter and explore a completely different world and culture. But still, they persevere.

Thank you for welcoming the Afghan Refugee families in your communities and helping them build a better future for their children. We count on your support to assist us with our new mission, until we regain the ability to serve the Afghan children in the country.

Thank you,