Media CenterCRS Joins Other NGOs in Uniting with Pearl Jam to Urge Action on Afghanistan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(978) 884-0003
 

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 11, 2022 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is one of nine global humanitarian organizations joining Pearl Jam and other celebrities to urge the White House to address Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, which cannot be solved by aid alone.

“Having recently come back from Afghanistan, I can attest to the growing needs we’re seeing across the country. If we act now, we can prevent untold suffering,” said Sean Callahan, CRS’ president and CEO.

Pearl Jam rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard shared, “We have all witnessed how difficult it has been to wind down U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, but we can’t turn a blind eye now to the millions of families who are bearing the consequences. We have an obligation to support the Afghan people and to ensure our actions don’t make it even harder for them to access food and basic necessities.”

The campaign, which includes celebrities Amanda Seyfried, Thomas Sadoski and Josh Klinghoffer, as well as the organization Global Citizen, is pushing for the U.S. and global leaders to address the economic drivers of the hunger crisis by facilitating banking access for Afghans and in finding new ways to support the country’s critical services like hospitals, schools, and utilities.

The nine global charities include: Alliance for Peacebuilding, CARE USA, Catholic Relief Services, International Rescue Committee, InterAction, Norwegian Refugee Council USA, Save the Children USA, War Child USA and World Vision U.S.

As detailed in a joint statement issued by the nine humanitarian organizations, more than half the country’s population of 38 million people are facing acute food insecurity, including 9 million who are on the brink of famine. According to the United Nations, if no action is taken, more than 100,000 children could die of starvation. While prices skyrocket, Afghan families cannot access cash to pay for food, medicine or other items.

“Humanitarian aid organizations and local partners are committed to delivering lifesaving relief during a profound time of need for the Afghan people,” said Sam Worthington, president of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based non-governmental organizations in the world. “InterAction members are witnessing firsthand the devastating impacts of the current humanitarian emergency. We are seeing that under a frozen financial system, looming economic crisis and Taliban rule, many families will not survive the winter.”

As part of the campaign, CRS welcomes Catholics and others of goodwill to join forces and advocate for Afghanistan by sending a letter to the White House via the CRS website.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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