If you’ve been following along with our messages over the last week or so, you’ll know that we’ve been on the move. Since the fall of Kabul, we have been finding ways to get involved and help with the Afghanistan evacuation efforts. With the help of your generous donations and support, SOAA was able to send a small team to Qatar and conduct our first assessment of the situation on the ground. In partnership with Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG), we were able to evaluate the temporary camps set up by the military for people waiting to being processed by the State Department.
After getting eyes on the camp in Qatar, we were happy to report that the US military was doing a fantastic job providing for the needs of the Afghan evacuees. After working with the heads of the military medical response unit in Qatar and confirming there was no need to send a medical support group to assist, we contacted the evacuee response team located at the Ramstein Air Force base in Germany–the site chosen to be the central hub for all resettlement flights to the United States. Our time at Ramstein was very productive, and once on the ground we were made aware of direct medical needs and the process to integrate assistance into resettlement efforts underway stateside. We were also able to highlight the great effort underway by the military.
With our relationships in D.C., being present on the ground gave the SOAA team unique insights, and the ability to flex resources, in particular, providing medical support efforts to the places that need it the most. I am incredibly proud of the work SOAA did in collaboration with GSMSG, and thankful for the continued efforts underway by the Department of Defense and the State Department. SOAA is continuing to help coordinate humanitarian efforts for our Afghan allies, and we will be ready to head out again if we are asked to support. Your donations quite literally saved lives, and have enabled us to continue to stay engaged. Now, we will be refocusing our efforts stateside to the direct needs of the US-based resettlement efforts currently underway, and bring our allies still trapped in Afghanistan to safety.
