Two decades of war: The United States’ responsibility to Afghanistan
MELODY STAINBROOK: After 20 years of war in Afghanistan, the United States completed its withdrawal of forces in late August, leaving soldiers and civilians ill-prepared to fend off a Taliban invasion. The resulting Taliban victory threatens the rights of millions, especially women and minority communities. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled Afghanistan, with thousands more attempting to escape. Congressional legislation is underway that aims to expand aid to Afghanistan and address the refugee crisis, the most extensive of these being H.R. 5305: Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act.
The Taliban is an Islamic extremist group in Afghanistan that rose to power in 1996. Shortly after 9/11, the United States invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime. A struggle for power between the United States and the Taliban regime ensued, leading to a war that raged on for two decades. The Taliban’s primary goal is to implement a strict interpretation of sharia law across Afghanistan. During their previous regime in Afghanistan, the Taliban enforced strict laws, including bans on education for girls, television, music, and cinema. Violations of these laws were punished harshly. Fearful of a similar loss of rights, hundreds of thousands of refugees have left Afghanistan; hundreds of thousands of civilians are still trying to escape, with one estimate citing 240,000 refugees but the actual number is thought to be much higher.
The United States left Afghan soldiers and citizens gravely underprepared for a fight against the Taliban. The Afghan military was left with little leadership structure. There were also widely unaddressed issues of corruption and illiteracy within the Afghan army. When the United States exited Afghanistan, these issues remained unresolved and resulted in a quick Taliban victory. Consequently, refugees scrambled to flee the country, with upwards of 125,000 people being airlifted out of Afghanistan by the United States.
New bills in Congress aim at expanding funding towards the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. H.R. 5305: Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, sponsored by Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, details several budgetary supplements towards Afghan refugees. The bill sets aside $2,200,000,000, available until September 2023, to fund Operation Allies Welcome, an ongoing initiative to bring Americans and vulnerable Afghan citizens from Afghanistan along to the United States. Operation Allies Welcome aims to support the resettlement of these Afghans in the U.S. An additional $21,500,000 is set aside for medical support, screening, and other public health activities related to Afghan refugees.
A necessary component of H.R. 5305 is its mandate that routine reports are made regarding the conditions of Afghan refugees in American facilities. The bill allocates $50,000,000 to investigate “Afghan resettlement operations,” including the implementation of Operation Allies Welcome. Holding U.S. officials accountable for the treatment and care of Afghan refugees, ensures that U.S. facilities are well-kept and refugees are treated with respect.
Worsening violence and persecution in Afghanistan has significantly increased the need for humanitarian aid. H.R. 5305 provides some of this necessary aid to Afghanistan. The bill sets aside $400,000,000 for “International Disaster Assistance” to address humanitarian needs in the country.
H.R. 5305 already passed the house on September 21. The vote was 220 in favor and 211 opposed. All Democrats who voted on the bill voted in favor of passage and all Republicans except one voted against (one Republican representative abstained from the vote).
Take Action
It is necessary that the United States provides humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and helps refugees that want to leave the country. Afghan civilians need assistance, support and acceptance. Countless families have been driven from their homes and require asylum. Citizens still in Afghanistan face extreme violence and loss of rights and need humanitarian aid.
The United States has an obligation to the people of Afghanistan. Two decades ago, the United States inserted itself into Afghanistan, starting a war with tragic implications for many Afghans. When United States troops exited Afghanistan, soldiers and civilians were left unprepared and vulnerable to a Taliban takeover. Now, millions of lives have been forever changed by death, destruction and persecution. We, as Americans, have a moral duty to do all we can to accept refugees that flee from Afghanistan and encourage our elected officials to provide humanitarian aid to Afghans that choose to stay.
Afghanistan needs our help. The United States has a responsibility to mitigate and rectify the damages of a war it started. To support this bill, you can call your Senators and urge them to support the legislation. Additionally, you can donate to one of the various humanitarian organizations providing relief to Afghanistan listed below:
The International Rescue Committee provides essential humanitarian aid to Afghan citizens, including emergency kits, medical care and shelter.
Doctors Without Borders supports doctors and medical staff in Afghanistan as violence pushes hospitals to the brink.
Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund is a U.N. Crisis Relief initiative that pairs with local organizations to provide relief and aid in Afghanistan.
Global Giving is an international nonprofit organization that provides aid worldwide and just set up an Afghanistan Emergency Fund.
Child Foundation has set up an Afghanistan Crisis Fund and has provided Afghan families with money for essentials such as groceries and water.
Women for Women International is an organization that aims to uplift and protect women around the world and has set up an emergency fund for Afghan Women to provide them with essentials such as hygiene kits.
There are many more charities and organizations that are working to provide aid and assistance to Afghan citizens. Another way to help Afghanistan is by volunteering for programs that help Afghan refugees resettle. One of these programs, Homes Without Borders, will be operating here in D.C. They need volunteers to move furniture or set up apartments and provide mentorship. They are also in need of financial donations.
Melody is a sophomore in Georgetown College, studying government and environmental studies. Melody joined On the Record as a columnist and is also a member of the GU Democrats and GU Moot Court.