Cafod is among the charities that have launched emergency appeals for those affected by events in Afghanistan.
The Cafod crisis fund will be to support those fleeing from Afghanistan and to assist those who are in the midst of the violence and suffering from poverty and the ongoing pandemic.
They have also urged people to back Cardinal Vincent Nicols’ call for the UK government to do more to support Afghan refugees.
The Catholic aid charity is urging people to write to their local MPs.
“As The Taliban takes control, the lives and liberties of millions of people are at risk. We urgently call on the government to offer meaningful protection and assistance for people caught up in the midst of this crisis, and to ensure safe passage,” they said.
Tearfund is working with its local partners in Afghanistan to provide relief packages, which include food, cooking equipment, hygiene supplies and trauma support for those who have been witness to extreme violence.
“Afghanistan is in crisis. Essentials such as food, clean water and hygiene supplies are urgently needed for people who have lost their homes,” they said on Twitter.
Christian Aid is looking for support with their Global Hunger Emergency appeal which the charity will use to provide humanitarian aid such as food supplies to internally displaced people who face famine. They launched the appeal, which supports internally displaced people in Afghanistan, in July but say “more support is needed”.
World Vision’s emergency appeal focuses on meeting the most urgent needs of children in Afghanistan, and seeks to provide support for them throughout the current situation, and the ongoing pandemic.
They tweeted: “Children in Afghanistan have dreams. We have been working to help children in Afghanistan realise their dreams for the past 20 years. This is still our goal. We stand with the children of Afghanistan”
The Barnabus fund has launched an emergency appeal as part of their Operation Safe Haven, which assists persecuted Christians around the world, to support Christians in Afghanistan, particularly those who converted from Islam and risk a backlash from The Taliban, to leave the country.
Speaking yesterday in St Peter’s Square, Rome, Pope Francis called on Catholics to hold Afghanistan in their prayers.
He said he was following events with great concern. “I share in the suffering of those who mourn for the people who lost their lives in the suicide attacks last Thursday, and of those who are seeking help and protection.”
He added: “I ask everyone to continue to assist those in need and to pray that dialogue and solidarity may lead to the establishment of peaceful and fraternal coexistence, and offer hope for the future of the country.... I appeal to everyone to intensify prayer and practise fasting: prayer and fasting, prayer and penance. Now is the time to do it.”
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