The Need: When the Taliban took over in Afghanistan and the United States announced its intent to withdraw its forces by August 31, 2021, it opened the door for the subsequent conquest of the country by Taliban forces in a matter of days. Immediately, Shai Fund sprang into action to evacuate those high-risk individuals whose lives would be in mortal danger should they remain in a Taliban controlled Afghanistan. Despite the threat of gunfire, suicide bombings, and the Taliban searching house-to-house, we have been able to successfully rescue and help thousands of high-risk individuals from a death sentence at the hands of the Taliban by placing them in safe houses.

Christian minorities and women are particularly at risk. Even before the Taliban cemented control of the country, Taliban militants were targeting Christians. Upon taking over the country in August 2021 they immediately revealed they had a list of known Christian leaders of the underground house church movement. On the12th of August they sent warnings to these church leaders saying that they knowwho they are and what they are doing.

The Solution: This project helps them in stay in a safe place until they can get visas to leave the country. We feed and provide them with medical assistance (if needed) while we arrange visas, flights and safe passage. Working with local networks we help to integrate them into their new country. Once in their new country the project supports them with food, shelter, language courses and integration for 3 months, and then works to give additional support for the following 6 months as they learn to become more independent though local charities and church networks.