GLCF announces Afghan Resettlement Fund to assist evacuees arriving in Greater Lowell

LOWELL — The Biden administration recently notified state officials that Afghan evacuees from the first group of nearly 37,000 arrivals are set to be resettled in states across the country, including about 900 evacuees in Massachusetts, according to the Associated Press.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation issued a press release last week stating it is preparing for an influx of new Afghan evacuees arriving in Greater Lowell by setting up a fund for local nonprofits “to help ensure those in need are welcomed and connected with housing, employment, transportation, food, acculturation and other related support.”

GLCF set up the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund, which was unanimously approved by the philanthropic organization’s board on Sept. 10. The funding will be available to Greater Lowell-based nonprofits charged with Afghan evacuees resettlements.

“In times of humanitarian need, GLCF gives where it is most needed in the community,” GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan said in the release. “As Afghan refugees and evacuees arrive in the coming months, the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund will support area nonprofits providing critical support needed to welcome and resettle this population.”

More than 100,000 people were airlifted out of Kabul during a tumultuous exodus at the end of August after President Biden announced U.S. troops would withdraw. The Taliban then seized control of the country in short order.

According to the AP article — which provides data from the White House — the Biden administration requested funding from Congress to help resettle 65,000 Afghans in the U.S. by the end of September and 95,000 by September 2022.

Those interested in helping the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund can give donations online at glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack St., Suite 202, Lowell, Ma. 01852.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis