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Press release

Statement from Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu regarding Afghanistan

We welcome the support of 250+ former Christian Aid staff members who reached out to us outlining a number of suggestions about what the organisation should be doing to support our colleagues in Afghanistan.

The strongly-held sentiments contained in the letter reflect the passion for justice members of the Christian Aid family – both past and present – feel. It also reflects the need felt by millions around the world to take action in light of the desperate news from Afghanistan.

Current staff and colleagues at Christian Aid are of course working to do all we can for our local staff colleagues. There is no one for whom the security of our local staff, partners and others is more important than for current Christian Aid staff and we want to express our gratitude to many individuals within the organisation for all they have done and will continue to do during this crisis.

In addition to the letter sent to us, we would welcome the support of former members of staff in reaching out to their MPs, churches, faith leaders and local politicians in lending their voices to call for:
  • Urgent need for humanitarian assistance
  • Protection of access to essential services for the Afghan population
  • Equal access in these areas for men and women, and boys and girls
 
Christian Aid will maintain a programme in Afghanistan, as we have done over the last 36 years, for as long as we are able to. Christian Aid staff in Afghanistan and globally are working to ensure they are safe and supported, as well as working with the international community to ensure that critical services resume to support those who have been internally displaced.
 
Christian Aid’s advocacy, including from us as chair and chair-elect, is taking place both publicly and privately, with key asks to the international community, the UN security council, and the UK government.

More than 4,000 people have already signed our petition launched this week to urge the government to take responsibility and act with compassion, increasing aid to Afghanistan and to neighbouring countries and providing more support for Afghans seeking refuge in the UK. We would encourage you to add your voice by writing a letter to the home secretary and the foreign secretary here.

In this desperate time for Afghanistan, we continue to believe in the power of prayer, so please do join us in praying here.