The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego is working alongside communities and partners to support Afghans living in San Diego. 

San Diego County has been a preferred destination because of the area’s vibrant Afghan community. The IRC is prepared to welcome and support incoming Afghan evacuees assigned to our office for resettlement support. Please email [email protected] if we can answer any questions, and thank you in advance for your consideration.

Here are five ways you can support our neighbors in San Diego:

  1. Donate to emergency housing relief. The IRC expects to welcome a steady increase in the number of new arrivals and seeks community investments to cover expenses related to emergency housing needs for families here in San Diego County. With your support, together we can provide a soft landing and a bright future for those displaced by crisis. Donate to San Diego's Soft Landing Fund here. 

  2. Volunteer with the IRC. We have a number of volunteer opportunities in San Diego. To view our current opportunities and learn about our processing click here.

  3. Make an in-kind donation. In-kind donations help provide newly arrived refugees with the tools they need to integrate and achieve self-sufficiency. While we are still observing health and safety regulations due to COVID-19, we would greatly benefit from gift cards: Visa, Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Or to learn about which items best support newly arrived refugees and our donation policies, click here.

  4. Fulfill a family's Wish List. We do all we can to ensure our client families are provided responsive and individualized care. If you would like to help fulfill a client family's wish list, click here.

  5. Furnish a family's home. Interested in hosting a donation drive? You can organize the collection of physical donations from within your local community. The IRC will provide you with a list of necessary items to fulfill one complete supply list for a family here in San Diego. Learn more.