Organization Seeking Public Help Re-Settling Afghan Evacuees

LOWELL, MA — A local organization is looking for public support as it gears up to resettle hundreds of people from Afghanistan.

The International Institute of New England is a refugee and immigrant support organization with offices in Boston, Lowell and Manchester, New Hampshire.

The institute is preparing to resettle 250 people who were recently evacuated from Afghanistan as part of the American withdrawal. It has also proposed to resettle 375 more refugees, which may include more Afghans, Chief Program Officer Emma Tobin said.

"It's safe to say we'll resettle 500 or so people fleeing persecution," Tobin said.

Tobin said the institute does not know when the first arrivals will make their way to Massachusetts, but the need for assistance is particularly urgent because the Afghan evacuees will not be eligible for public benefits unless there is a change to federal policy.

"We've launched a pretty ambitious fundraising campaign," Tobin said. "We're seeking financial support so we can provide financial support — making rent payments on their behalf, purchasing food, clothes and cell phones."

Many evacuees will have access to some state-based benefits, depending on where they are settled, she noted. But they will not have access to major federal benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or SNAP, commonly known as food stamps.

"We'll also be using funds raised to add two new caseworkers to our team, who are from Afghanistan themselves," Tobin added.

Those who want to help can go to iine.org for information about donating.

The institute is also gathering in-kind donations like home goods; information on that sort of donation is also on the website. You can also volunteer at iine.org/volunteer.

"Lowell has the largest Afghan community in the state already, so we expect that will be the biggest population" among new arrivals, Tobin said. "We tend to resettle refugees right in Lowell. For this population that's arriving now, we're looking to put them in permanent housing in Lowell."

In the meantime, the organization is still looking for offers, particularly from people in the city of Lowell, who would be willing to host Afghans temporarily. You can reach out to them at info@iine.org.

"We've been negotiating with hotels, but we've had an amazing number of offers from private homes who will take in a person or family for a time. Incredibly generous offers," Tobin said. "We're still looking for offers — if there are community members in Lowell itself who are willing to host. If there were hosts in that city, that would be wonderful."

"A lot of communities around the country see this as their responsibility because of the particulars of the situation," she added.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.