Updated February 3, 2022.
In July 2021, the U.S. government initiated Operation Allies Refuge to quickly admit and resettle individuals from, and in, Afghanistan who have worked for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government. The resettlement network is working to support Afghan evacuees by providing available benefits and services, including those funded by ORR. This blog post lists resources you may find helpful in serving these clients, including resources in Dari and Pashto.
Policies and Resources from ORR, DOS, and DHS
- Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR): For the latest resources from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, visit to the Afghan Assistance Resources page.
- Benefits for Afghan Humanitarian Parolees
- Benefits for Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders: This resource is also available in Dari and Pashto.
- Eligibility Documentation for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders or SQ/SI Parolees from Afghanistan and Iraq
- Policy Letter 22-03, Refugee Support Services Funded by the Afghan Supplemental Appropriation
- Policy Letter 22-02, Additional ORR-Eligible Statuses and Categories and Acceptable Documentation Requirements for Afghan Nationals
- Policy Letter 22-01, Afghan Humanitarian Parolees and Unaccompanied Afghan Minors Eligible for ORR Benefits and Services
- Dear Colleague Letter 21-18, Eligibility Status of Certain Afghan Parolees
- Dear Colleague Letter 21-17, FY 2021 RSS Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders and Special Immigrant (SI/SQ) Parolees Supplemental Allocation
- Dear Colleague Letter 21-16, Clarification Related to Afghan SQ/SI Parolees Eligibility for RCA/RMA
- Dear Colleague Letter 21-15, Afghan Arrivals Being Processed within the United States
- Department of State (DOS):
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
Looking for client-facing information in Dari and Pashto? Visit the Afghan Resource Center from USAHello!
Cultural Orientation
- CORE, Afghan Backgrounder– This backgrounder contains historical, political, and cultural information intended to cultivate a general understanding of Afghans who are arriving to the U.S.
- CORE, Settle In Facebook – With content in Pashto and Dari, Settle In Facebook is designed to directly engage newly arrived Afghans resettling in the United States.
- CORE, Responding to Increased Arrivals from Afghanistan – This post includes tips on preparing staff and volunteers, answering questions, using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, and more.
- CORE Resettlement Navigator (CORENav) – Available in Dari, CORENav includes video, audio, and written resources on topics such as employment, housing, education, resettlement agencies, health, community services, rights and responsibilities, learning English, money management, transportation, and cultural adjustment.
- CORE Settle In Mobile App, available in Dari, includes interactive learning opportunities across many content areas.
- CORE, SIV Stories: Starting Anew in the United States – This video series, available in English, Arabic, and Dari, is meant for Afghan and Iraqi SIV applicants who do not routinely have access to Cultural Orientation overseas.
Immigration Legal Needs
- CLINIC, Client Documentation and Benefits for Afghan Parolees – This document guide provides information and samples of the type of documents that Afghan parolees may be issued by DHS.
- International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Learn About Immigration Pathways for At-Risk Afghans – This training provides attorneys with brief overviews on Afghan Special Immigrant Visas, access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for Afghan nationals, humanitarian parole, and family reunification (fee associated; CEUs provided).
Health and Wellness
- University of Minnesota, Afghan Evacuees Health Resources– This page includes cultural training tools, screening tools, medical condition FAQs and more.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Coverage Options for Afghan Evacuees– This fact sheet reviews health care eligibility information for Afghan newcomers.
- Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health, Brief Overview for Clinicians Caring for New Afghan Arrivals – This website covers proper use of a medical interpreter, potential health conditions, prior health screening, and access to care.
- Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health, Afghan New Arrival Health Education Library – This website lists multilingual resources on various health education topics.
- Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health, Afghan Culture and Health Screening Considerations – This recorded webinar reviewed key considerations for health screening among Afghan newcomers.
- National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM), COVID-19 Resources for Afghan New Arrivals – These materials, including many in Dari and Pashto, relate to COVID-19 prevention and vaccination.
- NRC-RIM, Best Practices for COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation Among Afghan Communities – This archived webinar discusses how clinicians and communities can collaborate to support Afghan newcomers related to COVID-19.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Response to Afghan Evacuees – These materials, many in Dari and Pashto, relate to COVID-19, measles, chickenpox, polio, and other health topics.
- Switchboard, Psychological First Aid (PFA) to Support Clients Affected by the Crisis in Afghanistan – This webinar, held on October 4, 2021, discussed basic steps providers can take to support clients experiencing distress.
Child, Youth, and Family Services
- New! Department of Education, K-12 Resources for Afghan Newcomers – This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) shares information about funds and resources available to school districts in the U.S.
- Colorin Colorado, How Schools Can Partner with Afghan Refugee Families – This resource provide recommendations on how schools can effectively partner with families who will be arriving from Afghanistan in the coming months. It also shares lessons learned from schools already partnering with this community.
- Colorin Colorado, Welcoming Afghan Families: Lessons Learned from Austin ISD: This page includes tips from the Austin school district that is partnering with the local Afghan community to prepare to welcome new Afghan families.
- Refugee Educator Academy, Welcoming Afghan Students and Families: A Workshop for US Educators – This half-day virtual event, which took place on October 2, 2021, focused on providing the support needed to arriving students and families, ranging from creating a welcoming environment to being aware of mental health concerns.
- USAHello, Cultural Backgrounder: Afghan Students – If you are teaching Afghan students, it is important to be aware of their backgrounds. This cultural information was developed for teachers, but it can be used by anyone working or interacting with newcomer families.
Economic Empowerment & Digital Inclusion
- Department of Justice Immigrant and Employee Rights Section, Employment Information Regarding Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders and Parolees – This fact sheet provides general information about some of Afghan parolees’ employment rights.
- Switchboard, Employment Authorization Documents: Reference Guide for Refugee Service Providers – This reference guide covers the most important and commonly used work authorization documents required for employment in the United States, including for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.
- IRC, Refugees@Work 2.0 – These employment skills videos, available in Dari, include Answering Customer Questions, Elevator Pitch, Professional Communication/Talking to Your Employer, Interview Skills, Reading Customers, and What is Customer Service in the US? They are designed to be used in a class setting.
- IRC, Financial Capabilities – These videos, available in Dari, include Financial Resilience and Credit, Setting up Online Banking, and Filing Taxes Online.
- IRC, Digital Literacy Basics – These videos, available in Dari, include Phone Basics and Using the Internet, How to Use Zoom; Understanding Accounts, Logins, and Passwords; Using an Email Account; and Sharing Your Screen.
Do you know of other relevant resources? Email Switchboard@Rescue.org.
