World Relief Memphis, a nonprofit that serves newly arrived refugees here, is gearing up to assist Afghan refugees resettling in Memphis.
As Afghan families flee their country following the Taliban takeover, PJ Moore, executive director of World Relief Memphis said he anticipates a number will be coming in Memphis.
“As a community we have to be educated and able to receive these families well,” Moore said. “Memphis is a city known for Southern hospitality. We have a long history of welcoming people from all over the world and now we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who are fleeing horrific circumstances.”
World Relief Memphis is the only resettlement agency in the city and is a part of a larger global organization that operates in nine countries and 20 U.S. cities.
World Relief officials are currently working with the U.S. State Department to process Afghan evacuees arriving in Virginia, Wisconsin, and Texas.
Because of World Relief Memphis’ previously existing contract with the State Department to work with refugees, Moore said he anticipates the organization will facilitate the resettlement of a number of Afghan families with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) here in the coming months. SIV holders are those whose lives are threatened as a result of their service to the U.S. military.
Moore said there are currently two families confirmed to be coming, but he doesn’t know the exact number of additional families that will be coming or when they will arrive.
But when they do, World Relief is preparing to offer families help integrating into the community, by assisting with finding housing and jobs, learning English, and navigating a new culture.
Housing will be a key need for arriving families. World Relief Memphis is currently looking for partners, such as apartment complex owners and private families to provide temporary and permanent housing.
Moore said the public can also help by advocating, donating money and household items, or volunteering. Volunteer opportunities range from doing office work to extending social and relational support to new families.
The organization will hold a volunteer orientation Tuesday, August 24th, at 6:30 pm. More information about the orientation and how to sign up can be found here.
“These are ordinary people like you and me that have undergone extraordinary circumstances,” Moore said. “They are incredibly resilient and they want the same things you and I want for their lives. They want peace, security, and hope for the future. These are the reasons they’ve fled the conflict and persecution.”
