US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday the renewal of a memorandum of understanding with AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations assisting in the relocation and resettlement of Afghan allies in the United States.
“We have renewed the memorandum of understanding with AfghanEvac, continuing our vital partnership to relocate and resettle Afghan allies who stood beside the United States for over 20 years,” Blinken said in a statement posted on X.
“The U.S. remains committed to our pledge to always stand with our partners,” he added.
The AfghanEvac coalition comprises various organizations dedicated to facilitating the relocation and resettlement of Afghans in the United States.
Blinken’s announcement comes as Afghan refugees eligible for relocation to the United States face mounting challenges in Pakistan, where many have encountered arrest and deportation.
In recent days, reports have surfaced of Afghan refugees in Pakistan being detained and forcibly returned to Afghanistan by local authorities.
The “2024 Afghan Allies Relocation Coordinator Act,” published on the U.S. Congress website, outlines the responsibilities of the coordinator, including facilitating the resettlement of eligible Afghan allies and assisting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents still in Afghanistan. The coordinator will also support the State Department’s broader efforts to manage the resettlement of vulnerable Afghans.
As of last month, the State Department reported that 183,000 Afghans, including local partners who worked alongside U.S. forces, had been relocated to the United States since the withdrawal.
