More than 35,000 Afghans evacuated from Afghanistan in August, 2021 are still being housed temporarily on American military bases (which they refer to as refugee camps) in the U.S. and in Germany. As the evacuees undergo vetting and biometric testing they are slowly being released into the United States. Some will be released with SIV status, however most will be released as Humanitarian Parolees.
Thousands of Afghans evacuees will be placed through one of nine Refugee Resettlement Agencies that contract with the U.S. government. Due to lack of funding, budget and staff cuts over the past four years, resettlement agencies are relying on community and faith-based organizations to help in the resettlement process. One of the most urgent needs is to find affordable housing for these families.
OCJCR trains volunteers who have been accompanying refugee families during their first year of resettlement for the past three years. Community sponsorship volunteer support teams help asylum seekers and refugees attain self sufficiency during their first year. We are prepared to welcome and help resettle newly arriving Afghan families to Orange County.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED NOW TO HELP RESETTLE AFGHANS REMAINING ON U.S. MILITARY CAMPS BY FEBRUARY, 2022.