Non-profit organizations in El Paso provide donations to Afghan refugees

by Staff

Wed, September 1st 2021, 3:56 PM UTC

Members of the American Red Cross receive first shipment of Armed Services YMCA donations for the Afghans at Fort Bliss' Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Aug. 26, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Michael West/2ABCT)

Drawings from Afghan children are displayed on the ‘Coloring Hall of Fame Wall’ inside the dining facility at Fort Bliss' Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Aug. 29, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Michael West/2ABCT)

A 1st Armored Division noncommissioned officer directs heavy equipment traffic at Fort Bliss' Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Aug. 26, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by David Poe)

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Members of the American Red Cross receive first shipment of Armed Services YMCA donations for the Afghans at Fort Bliss' Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Aug. 26, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Michael West/2ABCT)

FORT BLISS, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Doña Ana Range complex at Fort Bliss is one of the facilities in the U.S. where many Afghan refugees are being housed.

Fort Bliss soldiers have been helping set up items at the complex.

The Department of Defense has been providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for Afghan evacuees at facilities, in permanent or temporary structures.

The DOD is not able to drive the process of donations.

Fort Bliss is working with El Paso Office of New Americans, the Armed Forces YMCA El Paso and the Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services, Inc. on how the public can donate to Operation Allies Refuge.

A spokesperson for Fort Bliss said Fort Bliss has had an overwhelming response from the community on many offers to contribute.

Items that can be purchased on Amazon that will be donated to refugees.

Many of the Afghans coming to the U.S. are doing so under the Special Immigrant Visa program designed specifically for individuals who worked with U.S. forces. Adam Bates, policy counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project, said that, due to their work, those individuals were extensively vetted by U.S. authorities before applying to the program — and are again extensively vetted "by a wide array of federal agencies" before the visas are granted.

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