Progress Report: Fletcher's Afghan Refugee Effort

Lark Escobar (MALD 22), a human security specialist and Tufts Presidential Award honoree, has been working to evacuate and relocate at-risk Afghan refugees since the crisis erupted in the country last August. Here, she reports on progress and plans.

This summer, I moved back to my home state of Texas to support the Afghan refugee community here while continuing to work alongside the wonderful Fletcher Afghan Evacuation and Resettlement Working Group volunteers on a caseload of 3,000 Afghans.

Of those, 20 have made it to the US between February and July as either green card or Special Immigrant Visa applicants. However, I’m heartbroken to report that a little over three months ago we lost a prosecutor who was arrested and tortured to death by 15 Taliban. In response, the Fletcher Afghan Evacuation & Resettlement Working Group is now working with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys to file an ICC complaint on behalf of the prosecutor who perished.

Around the same period, I was able to successfully negotiate for the release of a high-profile judge and two other justice sector employees -- both of whom are alive.

This year to date, we have provided life-sustaining aid for 19 families, including shelter, food, and emergency medical support, and recently engaged a physician volunteer to develop medical presentations about the numerous epidemics happening concurrently in Afghanistan.

To help integrate Afghans who have been evacuated to the US, we have begun providing daily language support in four languages. The Arabic, English, Spanish, and Dari support is intended for Afghan girls unable to attend a publicly accessible school, plus learning Dari helps me and other handlers strengthen cross-cultural communications and engagement for resettlement. Spanish support is provided for Afghans at the Mexico-Texas border.

We also offer evacuees weekly information sessions (including in native languages) and materials on United States-specific content about the government, education system, and individual states.

Our Fletcher connections and relationships remain strong. Fletcher alumnus Christian Jepsen (MALD 20) joined the team this summer and has been involved in congressional advocacy and resettlement work. Christian, Christopher Pumford (MALD 21) and others meet regularly with members of Congress. I also meet with White House staff, and Secretary of State Blinken, as well as engage with key organizations such as Amnesty, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Human Rights First, and others.

Rachael Lew (MALD 22) has been working over the last year on both evacuation case registrations and on conflict tracking mapping. In Fall of 2021, Michelle Ball (MALD 23), was also heavily involved in case registrations. Marina Lorenzini (MALD 21) has chipped in this summer by participating in legal advocacy efforts.

Under the leadership of Christopher Pumford, the team has raised over $13,000 to date, and fundraising is ongoing. We awarded donations toward our joint Afghan evacuation efforts to two non-profit partners: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and Imagine For All.

The team is collaborative and effective in part because Fletcher equipped us with the course work, concepts and vocabulary necessary for tackling-real world scenarios. Plus, the school creates space in the university ecosystem by supporting our ability to host academic conferences and panel events, fundraise for partner non-profits, and recruit students interested in making a direct impact. We are able to connect with faculty and draw from their insights and recommendations.

Looking ahead to Q4, we are seeking Fletcher and Tufts volunteers and a current Fletcher student to lead events for this coming semester. We hope to offer a few unpaid internships this fall and host an all-women speaker conference on campus to examine the status of Afghan women post-government collapse.