Afghan Refugees Get Helping Hand From Vienna Presbyterian

VIENNA, VA — A Vienna church is among the local organizations helping refugees who are escaping Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country.

Many Afghani residents have been attempting to flee the country as the Taliban took over the Afghani capital of Kabul on Aug. 15. Refugees from Afghanistan are arriving in Northern Virginia and other places in the U.S., with the U.S. government focused on evacuating Americans as well as Afghan citizens who had helped the U.S. government during the Afghanistan War.

Refugees have been arriving at Dulles Airport in the last week, and many are being temporarily housed at the Dulles Expo Center, according to the Washington Post. From there, the families head to military bases in the region and around the U.S.

In the meantime, DC area organizations are helping refugees. According to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, there are three main agencies in Northern Virginia helping refugees with resettlement: Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services. The organizations are providing reception and placement services upon arrival at the airport, housing and welcome money, help with cultural orientation, and employment services.

Sue Hamblen, director of missions for Vienna Presbyterian Church, told Patch in an email the church is working with One Heart DC and Lutheran Social Services to provide "welcome home kits."

"There are a variety of kits that can be assembled, and it’s a great opportunity for families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to work together to support this nationwide effort," Hamblen wrote.

The church is asking residents to sign up to donate kits for the Afghan refugees. The types of kits requested are kitchen supplies kits, kitchen tableware kits, linens kits, cleaning supplies kits and hygiene/toiletries kits.

Each kit has a list of requested items, and those who sign up to donate a kit are asked to purchase all items specified for each kit. Donors are encouraged to invite their friends and neighbors to buy items for a kit together.

Drop-offs will be accepted on Sept. 1 or 2 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. NE.

Visit the sign-up page for more information.