How can we be hopeful and make a difference? Join Hila Taraky as she highlights the history of Afghanistan, how we can engage in the discussion about the crisis in Afghanistan, and tangible action towards supporting Afghan refugees. In a time of great distress, Hila discusses that there is hope and how we must make the best of this situation to spark action and create impactful change.

Hila Taraky is a business lawyer who carries on a focused practice in corporate transactions, land development and commercial real estate at Arfocus Legal and the co-founder of Lifeline Afghanistan, a campaign which engages Canadians in supporting the sponsorship of Afghan refugees.

Calls to Action:

1. Donate or lead a fundraiser for organizations that provide relief to Afghans in Afghanistan or supporting those who have made it to Canada:

• The Afghan Women’s Organization’s orphanage for girls in Afghanistan called the “Omid-E-Mirmun” by writing “orphanage for girls” in the private message box and clicking here to donate: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/27920
• Wesley’s Afghan Refugee Fund to assist this Hamilton based organization with the resettlement of Afghan refugees who have made it to Canada: https://wesley.ca/donation-form/
• Lifeline Afghanistan campaign to fund the sponsorship of refugees who have been displaced as a result of the crisis: https://www.lifelineafghanistan.ca/donate/
• Journalists for Human Rights to support their ongoing evacuation and rescue efforts geared towards Afghan journalists: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/jhr-journalists-for-human-rights/campaign/help-evacuate-journalists-from-kabul/

2. Learn more about the crisis that is ensuing and determine what your friends, family, community and university are doing to assist Afghans.

3. Determine where your Member of Parliament stands on Canadian foreign policy, provision of humanitarian aid and immigration with respect to the crisis in Afghanistan.

4. Learn more about, and advocate for, the following policy changes to help streamline pathways to Canada for human rights and women’s rights activists, journalists, lawyers, judges and refugees who are at risk:

• Support and encourage flexible innovative, collaborative approaches to resettlement, training and pathways to employment including pre-arrival assessments, training and recruitment.
• Increase resources to support the expediting of evacuation in Afghanistan of those with Canadian credentials.
• Canada should further partner with neighboring countries and allies to open their borders to refugees and align efforts to establish efficient resettlement processes.
• The promise to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees should be in addition to applications that are already in the queue with at least half dedicated to Blended Visa Office Refugees (“BVOR”) and private sponsorship. Canada should not include the processing of Afghan applications in the caps set out for private sponsorship of refugees imposed on Sponsorship Agreement Holders.
• Recognizing economic as well as humanitarian goals, Canada should provide innovative and additional pathways to Canada including expedited work permits. It should remove unnecessary restrictions on student visas including the need for guaranteed return to Afghanistan.

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