New York nonprofits helping in Haiti, Afghanistan amid respective upheavals

Two different disasters have struck Haiti and Afghanistan in the last week. The Caribbean nation faced a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Aug. 14. On the other side of the world, the Taliban has quickly taken control of Afghanistan after American troops began to withdraw, precipitating calls for the United States to take in more refugees.

Several nonprofits and elected leaders in New York have begun to respond to each country’s crisis. As The City reports, the head of the nonprofit Capracare, which is headquartered in New York City but operates in Haiti, called for donations to pay for needed supplies such as medicine to serve people immediately. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has also called on New Yorkers to support organizations such as Ayiti Community Trust, Hope for Haiti and Partners in Health.

Meanwhile, the Queens-based organization Women for Afghan Women has mobilized to keep its 1,200 staff members in Afghanistan safe. Most have relocated to the capital Kabul as the nonprofit coordinates with the U.S. government and others to get them to safety. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York is currently helping process special immigrant visas for 13 Afghans who worked with the U.S. government, according to a statement from the organization.