Help Afghan Activists Find Safety in Portugal

For over a decade in Afghanistan, an ever growing community of remarkable young men and women organized a stunning array of projects to overcome ethnic divisions, share resources, and promote nonviolence. As a consequence of their work and their connections with international activists, their inclusion of minorities who are persecuted within Afghanistan, and their commitment to gender justice, many of these activists have fled the country to avoid the possibility of imprisonment, torture, and even execution since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

 

In the last several months, many of our friends crossed into Pakistan. Their situations remain very tenuous. Unable to work or study, they face the constant threat of deportation. Those who are Hazara continue to face persecution as members of the Shia minority. Among those who remain in Afghanistan, several are in hiding.

 

Thankfully, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Portugal has recently indicated it will consider granting visas for nine of these Afghans to work with a permaculture organization to rehabilitate the land and economy in the south of the country. These visas are contingent on demonstrating that we can cover the costs of their airfare and resettlement, estimated to be $10,000 per person for the duration of the two-year program. Please donate what you can to help cover these costs so that our friends can find safety and build new futures away from the threat of war, poverty, and persecution. If you are interested in making a larger, tax deductible donation, please message for more information.