As the crisis in Afghanistan continues to escalate, you can help provide urgent support for people seeking protection in Ireland.

With an estimated 3 to 4 million people who have left Afghanistan already in neighbouring countries and hundreds of thousands more on the move, urgent action is required by the international community to respond to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

On the 16th of December, the Irish Government has introduced a new humanitarian scheme to admit up to 500 Afghans to Ireland. This programme allows current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply for temporary residence in Ireland of their close family members.

The Irish Refugee Council has been working very hard to help Afghans benefit from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Admission Programme and get all the support they deserve. In less than two months, we have:

• Applied for 70 sponsors;
• Applied for 65 Long Stay Visa (“D” visa);
• Referred 70 cases to external Law firms for pro-bono support (D-visas and/or AHAP applications);
• Informed more than 220 Afghans living in Ireland of their family reunification options.

Rahmat has been living in Ireland since 2011. In May 2021, he got married in Pakistan and spent a few months there with his wife. He had to return to Ireland at the beginning of August and his wife, who was pregnant with their first child, returned to Afghanistan. When the Talibans took over Kabul on August 15^th, his wife was 5 months pregnant and had no one to take care of her as all her close family members had already left Afghanistan. Rahmat contacted our office at the Irish Refugee Council and we submitted his visa application on the 8^th of October. It was granted a month later and his wife landed in Ireland on the 22^nd of December. Their daughter was born three days later. He said “Without the IRC legal team, it would not have been possible. I am specifically very thankful to the staff worker who helped me, she was very sincere and helpful. I would like to thank each one of you for the love and caring for others and for incredible work.”

Together we can welcome Afghans like Rahmat and their families in Ireland. Your support can help them rebuild their life as they reunite together after fleeing persecution.

As the Afghanistan Humanitarian Admission Programme will close in a few weeks, we need your help more than ever before. Donate today and provide life-changing support for Afghans in Ireland.