A family of six pose smiling outside of their home.
Muska fled Afghanistan and lived as a refugee in Pakistan before resettling in Arizona. Today she is a pre-med student and entrepreneur. When refugees like Muska are welcomed in the U.S., they thrive and make their communities stronger. (Photo: Andrew Oberstadt/ IRC)

The IRC in Phoenix has begun receiving displaced Afghan families in urgent need of safety. We expect the numbers of families to increase due to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The IRC calls on the Phoenix community to come together and open our arms in welcome for these families, many who risked their lives providing critical and longstanding assistance to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

Here are four ways YOU can help!

  1. Cash Donations: The IRC helps newly-arrived families meet critical needs, including safe and stable housing. Make a secure, one time donation or become a monthly sustainer here.  Prefer to donate by check, donor-advised fund, or other means? Please contact us at [email protected].
  2. Amazon Wish List: Due to the COVID pandemic, the IRC is not able to accept used clothing, furniture or used household goods. Community members can shop from IRC’s Amazon Wish List for items resettling families will need. Or, donate gift cards, so families can purchase exactly what they need. Amazon Wish List 
  3. Volunteer: We need volunteers to help us prepare for new arrivals, especially any volunteers with availability weekdays 9-5. Apartment set-ups, outreach to new landlords, and support with our van management are all vital to the services IRC provides. Fill out an application or contact [email protected] for any questions.
  4. Housing: Finding housing is our biggest challenge at the moment! We are looking for landlords who can be flexible about not requiring first and last month's rent or a security deposit. Upon arrival, refugees do not have the documentation an average American has, such as a social security card, credit / rental history and employment history in the United States. They can however, provide evidence of legal status, reliable income, and agency support. If you have housing available for the first 4 to 6 months of a familiy's arrival please contact [email protected]. Housing must have a separate exit (not a room in a home) and access to small kitchen. You can also become an AirBnB Open Homes host!

Due to an overwhelming community response we can no longer accept donations of clothing or household items. Please contact [email protected] to inquire about in-kind needs and to schedule a drop off appointment. Donation drop off is by appointment only, please.

Learn More:

Listen to IRC in Arizon'as Executive Director discuss Afghan arrivals on NPR's The Show: click here

"My Life Was In Danger": How Afghan Allies Seek Safety in the US - Two men resettled under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program to support Afghan allies discuss their fears for those left behind.