Kathmandu/Kabul/ Afghanistan, 3rd May 2020: The UNITED SIKHS has been advocating for and serving Afghan Sikhs for many years. This work is ongoing and the families of those lost and injured have been provided assistance. Avenues for Immigration documentation to allow for resettlement are being pursued and the necessary resources to obtain such documentation have been put in place. Delays may occur due to the extenuating circumstances of COVID-19 and the closure of government offices in Kabul.
The safety and security of the Afghan Sikhs and Hindu families are paramount. The Afghan Sikhs and Hindus have been told repeatedly, “that you Kafirs should be eliminated in other cities of Afghanistan and not just through the attacks in Kabul and Jalalabad.” Imminent threats still exist today to Afghan Sikhs and Hindus.
UNITED SIKHS is closely monitoring the situation. The Afghan Sikhs have instructed UNITED SIKHS to keep all numbers on donated amounts confidential for fear of being kidnapped for ransom.
In addition, resources to help offset the adverse impact of Covid-19 have been put into place as Covid-19 has hindered efforts for resettlement and placed an undue burden on our Afghan Sikh brothers and sisters who are locked down with many unable to access daily essentials. All the immediate necessities were relayed by UNITED SIKHS representatives in Ghazni, Jalalabad, and Kabul, and funds have already been wired and sent across.
We thank the Sangat for supporting our fundraising campaign on Gofundme. As most are aware these funds have been raised but as the campaigns are ongoing and because of the process and certain protocol of digital fundraising platforms they are yet to be collected. However, due to the urgency of the predicament of our Afghan Sikh brothers and sisters, UNITED SIKHS immediately released emergency funds on multiple occasions to provide relief in the interim.
The funds collected through our ongoing fundraisers are primarily to be spent for Humanitarian Aid (including their immediate needs in the interim and final destinations) and Advocacy efforts towards their temporary and permanent resettlement. In this context, UNITED SIKHS will be working with many Panthic organizations collectively and transparently. We welcome inquiries from donors and aim to answer questions to the best of our abilities within the current security context of Afghanistan. Also, routine updates will be provided as well as a report issued once the project reaches certain milestones or completion.
The current crisis faced by the Afghan Sikhs can be faced by Sikhs in other nations. Our legal and humanitarian response teams are working collectively and give us the lucid ability to build on mechanisms to confront these potential scenarios in an immediate manner. The Panth has to unite to take on such challenges with the help of friendly nations and world bodies.
The welfare and the security of the minorities in Afghanistan are paramount.
UNITED SIKHS is a registered 501(c)(3) in the USA with over 10 chapters globally and is affiliated with the UN. We are privileged to have been serving for over 20 years in over 60 disasters across the world to date. This is only possible with the support of our donors, the unyielding resolve of our volunteers, and the grace of Waheguru.
-Based on a press note issued May 3rd/2020 by Gurvinder Singh, the International Humanitarian Aid Director
of the UNITED SIKHS.