Home is where the heart is. Unfortunately for the Afghan people, we’ve watched our heart be torn apart. Sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, but always painfully. The current tragedy striking the Afghan people is one that is horrifying, but disturbingly familiar. For those who are part of families that made it out, others that have family still there, and some who have no connection at all besides the human connection, fundraising is the most direct way that you can help.

To forward that effort, Afghan Refugees Bay Area (ARBA) is working to consolidate and unite all Refugee Aid efforts in the Bay Area under one effort. Simplicity is the key to efficiency, and we must move quickly. The Afghan people need our help, and some of them need it immediately. We’re working to do our part, beyond an Instagram post or a retweet, we’re here to do something tangible.

With your help, and donations, we can localize fundraising efforts to meet goals and get supplies on the ground and in the hands of incoming refugees. Instead of donating used items, we wish to purchase new items such as food, clothing, shoes, blankets, supplies for children and babies, medical supplies, and all other necessary essentials. These people have lost everything, we wish to provide them with clean and new supplies.

]. Those who wish to purchase supplies directly, we have put together a gift registry of what is necessary and in demand now: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift-giver?registryId=fdc79a60-0542-11ec-af9d-c3dd611aa053&type=CHARITY

For transparency, ARBA will provide photos, and whatever else necessary to ensure that funds are going directly to the Afghan people. Should there be any funds to spare, they will go directly to expenses that aid refugees: temporary housing, transportation, fundraising efforts, etc.

“Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)