More than 600,000 Afghans have been forced to leave their home since January 2021 – the vast majority are women and children. As the challenges for those fleeing from Taliban rule mount, support for them is needed more than ever.
The UPS Foundation has stepped up to provide in-kind transportation of relief items to refugees arriving all across the U.S by delivering $1.5 million in humanitarian supplies in partnership with the American Red Cross, Good360, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) and The CDC Foundation. The UPS Foundation is also working with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on transporting three flight rotations of shelter supplies to Uzbekistan from Dubai with tarps and kitchen supplies for up to 35,000 Afghanistan refugees.
“Health & Humanitarian relief is one of our four focus areas and we are proud to delivery hope to those who have left everything behind,” said Joe Ruiz, vice president of Social Impact and The UPS Foundation. “The basic necessities we’re providing and our commitment to hire Afghan refugees, especially in our US operations, will make a positive impact in their lives.”
To date, The UPS Foundation has delivered over half a million dollars in logistical support and emergency funding to the UN refugee agency to come to the aid of Afghan refugees. It has also provided transportation support and technical expertise including a $50,000 grant to the Salvation Army, which is providing primary care for Afghan refugees, to help stand up an inventory management system for the care of 3,000 refugees in U.S. camps. UNHCR will use the emergency funding to provide displaced Afghans with emergency shelter, food, medical treatment, water, essential relief items, sanitation support and cash assistance, both within Afghanistan and in neighboring countries.
More than half of Afghanistan’s population live on less than a dollar a day. UPS recently announced its plans to join the U.S. Chamber Foundation coalition for Afghan refugee employment. The coalition will offer refugees one of the most essential tools for rebuilding their lives: a job.
Are you inspired to help? Join the American Red Cross with the Afghanistan refugee resettlement and other disaster responses, please use the link to sign up to donate blood.