 
Emergency support for kind hearts in Kabul: how you can help.John, no doubt you will have seen the news from Afghanistan, with tragic scenes of chaos as the Taliban rapidly took hold of the city of Kabul. I admit, I was feeling increasingly helpless for both the humans and animals there. But our global work has taught me that in situations of turmoil, there are always kind-hearted people helping. And Kabul is no exception. 
Kabul's first ever female-led veterinary clinic and shelter, Kabul Small Animal Rescue, has been operating in the region for several years. Their work has brought kindness, alleviated suffering and given a second chance to thousands of animals from the streets of Kabul. They haven't stopped their tireless work, even as the situation there intensifies. Seeing them on the ground fills me with an immense worry for their safety, but an even greater sense of gratitude. You can donate here to support them as part of our emergency grants program. When I spoke with their founder and Director, Charlotte, a couple of days ago, I could hear the distinctive Chinook helicopters above her. Our call was disrupted by the sound of gunfire, and she excused herself to check on everyone. In that moment, this 'reality' I'd only known through my TV screen became clear. Her calm demeanour left me speechless on the other end of the phone and in the safety of my own home in Australia I was awestruck by her bravery. In the tense hours as the Taliban drew closer, she could have chosen to leave. But instead she stayed, committed to making a plan for her staff and the animals who need them now more than ever. Charlotte and her team are operating in a complete state of unknown. The situation around them is volatile. The team is all too aware of how dangerous this situation is for them, particularly for the women, but they won't turn animals away. After rehoming hundreds of rescued animals internationally in the last several weeks, the shelter is quickly filling again with animals left by residents who have managed to flee Kabul or embassy staff evacuating en masse. During our call, Charlotte methodically ran through their plan to ensure that food and veterinary supplies remain their priority and I heard her pause to comfort a kitten on her lap. She asked for an update on what I was seeing on TV because she had been so busy with the animals. I tried to sound confident, watching live coverage of plumes of smoke rising from embassies destroying sensitive documents and flares being dropped not far from where she was. I didn't know what to tell her. Instead, I just reassured her we will help. If you'd like to make a donation to directly support the work of Kabul Small Animal Rescue, we will ensure that emergency funding reaches them immediately.
John, none of us fully understand what the coming days and weeks will bring for the people and animals in Afghanistan. But right now, the team in Kabul are working on a plan to get their animals and themselves to safety while they still can. Your support will be channelled to help provide immediate assistance for what will be a very costly evacuation process. 
When you look at these kind faces, take heart in the fact that they are doing everything possible to be where animals need them as each hour passes. Because somehow hope is still very alive and present in Kabul, and the compassion of these beautiful people will not be quelled, even in this unimaginable situation. Thank you for helping us help them. For animals everywhere,
P.S. Your generosity fuels our emergency grants program and is helping achieve our vision: to create a world where kindness, compassion and respect extend to all living beings. This program continues to provide lifesaving support for animals around the world affected by COVID-19 and natural disasters — and situations like that unfolding in Afghanistan. Through it you're helping foster 'kindness in action' and ignite a belief in a higher potential for humanity. 
You have received this alert because [email protected] is subscribed to receive Animals Australia e-news. To unsubscribe, please click here.
|
