The world has watched in shock and growing disbelief at the rapidity of events over the past two weeks that have seen Afghanistan once more ruled by the Taliban. 

Many of our members have been in touch to ask how they can support colleagues and contribute to the ongoing, desperate efforts to evacuate journalists and their families.

There is a crucial role for our community in the weeks and months to come when attention turns from emergency evacuation to finding host countries for those forced to flee – especially when it comes to securing meaningful work for the hundreds, likely thousands, of displaced journalists forced into exile by the dramatic resurgence of the Taliban. 

Employ Afghan journalists, host their families, and contribute to their resettlement. Complete this form to give us a clearer picture of what you may be able to offer.

If you are in a position to help even just one journalist, we can support you in making that happen. WAN-IFRA commits to working in coordination with its many partners in the journalist support community to match your offer of assistance with those in need.

Current needs

Until now, all efforts have concentrated on extracting the maximum number of journalists before the deadline set by the US military of 31st August, beyond which they will no longer provide security for those looking to leave from the airport in Kabul. Attention is already shifting to those left behind.

We are fortunate to work with organisations across the safety of journalists and media development fields who have specific expertise and mandates to undertake the incredibly difficult task of identifying, vetting and clearing journalists to board the few remaining flights out of the country. Many of these organisations have offices in Afghanistan and local staff who have also been caught up in this terrible situation. 

Our support to them over recent days has involved advocating amongst our members to urge leading governments to include journalists in their evacuation plans. Those recommendations can be read and reproduced here.

WAN-IFRA does not maintain a local network in Afghanistan, has not delivered projects in support of Afghan media, or currently has members in the country. Our role is therefore limited in this initial stage. 

It is an incredibly complex situation on the ground at the present moment. A number of organisations specialised in frontline support to journalists in conflict zones are rightly leading efforts to evacuate.

Colleagues in the Journalists In Distress Group (notably CPJ, the Rory Peck Trust, Free Press Unlimited) have been doing an immense job of compiling lists and identifying those in need and securing flights out of Kabul; the international Safety of Journalists coalition, the ministerial-level Media Freedom Coalition, and the ACOS Alliance have, in turn, been playing their role. WAN-IFRA is an active member in all of these networks.

And, incredibly, individual WAN-IFRA members have already come forward offering their support.

Ask

There is a crucial role for our community in the weeks and months to come when attention turns from emergency evacuation to finding host countries for those forced to flee – especially when it comes to securing meaningful work for the hundreds, likely thousands, of displaced journalists forced into exile by the dramatic resurgence of the Taliban. 

Members in Portugal and the USA have already stepped forward to offer employment to Afghan journalists as well as financial support for their families to relocate, committing to cover living costs and provide assistance during the lengthy visa process. Are you willing and able to help likewise?

Host journalists in your newsroom
Conducting meaningful work and continuing to exercise skills and professional capacities are a key part of navigating the incredible upheaval of a life of exile. If you can offer Afghan colleagues the chance to continue working as journalists then WAN-IFRA will connect you to those looking for a new place to call home.

Contribute funds to support journalists and their families
We appreciate that not every newsroom is in the position to consider adding Afghan colleagues to their ranks. Instead, we would ask you to consider making a donation to a dedicated Afghan Media Support Fund that WAN-IFRA is administering, for use exclusively in assisting Afghan colleagues. 

At this stage, the focus is on getting people out of Afghanistan as quickly as possible to safe, albeit temporary, bases. Very soon, however, attention will shift to where these individuals and their families will move on to for long-term resettlement, which countries will open their doors, and how quickly they can secure safe passage.

This is where the WAN-IFRA community can be most effective. Please consider your internal capacities, assess what you may be able to offer, and get in touch to discuss the details.

Complete this form to give us a clearer picture of what you may be able to offer.

Please Read – Afghan Journalist Appeal.

The post Afghan Journalist Appeal appeared first on WAN-IFRA.