A unit of Afghan counter-IED specialists, the National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG), quite literally cleared the way for the Army Green Berets they partnered with. Their technical expertise and familiarity with Taliban tactics was indispensable as they detected and disabled IEDs (usually by hand) in advance of US forces. Many American Special Operators are alive today because of the NMRG teams.
The vast majority of the NMRG were not fortunate enough to be on the flights out of Kabul: Including their families, there are some 1500 of these allies of the US still in Afghanistan- and in the face of the Afghan winter, and persistent Taliban persecution, most are reliant on our support.
As if their affiliation with the US military was not dangerous enough, Roughly half of the NMRG are Hazara- an ethnic minority that has suffered extensive persecution at the hands of the Taliban. With all variables considered, it is difficult to imagine a higher-risk group in Afghanistan.
The NMRG and their families fled their homes with only what they were capable of carrying themselves, so it is of immediate importance to ensure their wellbeing before all else.
To that end, donations are directed towards health and welfare: food, shelter, winter clothing, and pediatric nutrition. Once these needs are ensured, efforts pivot towards fulfilling SIV requirements; national ID cards, passports and ultimately, flights to the US.
