Afghanistan Visiting Scholars Emergency Support

Sept 4, 2021

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone that supported our effort to respond to the crisis in Afghanistan. Although the crowdfunding effort has ended, the needs are ongoing. If you would like to support this effort you can make a gift here.

Sept 2, 2021

UPDATE: WE ARE STILL GOING

We are amazed and eternally grateful for the support the project has received from the UC Santa Cruz community. The situation in Afghanistan is constantly evolving, and we are still fielding requests for aid. In response, we are continuing to raise funds past our initial goal. Generously, the UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees has pledged an additional $10,000 match. All gifts made between now and Friday night will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $10,000. Thank you again for your commitment and support as we work to help bring the scholars to UCSC, and to safety.

UC Santa Cruz is stepping up to respond to the dangerous Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the urgent need to help at-risk Afghan families flee the country.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 immediately. If we reach $100,000, the Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor has pledged to match it dollar-for-dollar to enable emergency travel and placement. 

Your gift today to UCSC’s “Afghanistan Visiting Scholars Emergency Fund” will provide  critical support to people from Afghanistan who are facing unspeakable horrors.

In active and dynamic collaboration with UCSC associates with ties to scholars and activists in Kabul, our campus is currently working quickly to secure the safe passage and placement of several women and their families. 

The people we are working hard to help are predominantly at-risk  academics, journalists, and activists in desperate need. As visiting scholars they would bring to UCSC a wealth of experience and knowledge in human rights, women's rights, and contemporary politics in Afghanistan. We believe these placements would make it easier for recipients and their families to meet visa requirements for safe entry into the United States.

We hope you will join us in this serious and urgent situation to help the women, men, and children facing grave risks in Afghanistan to find refuge. 

Please make your gift now.

Thank you for your consideration and support. If you have any questions, please contact Senior Director of Development, Cari Napoles at cmnapole@ucsc.edu.