Milspouses Provide Relief to Afghan Evacuees

I’m on an airplane right now, looking out of the window and marveling at the beauty of the clouds up here, above it all. Truthfully, I’m one part in awe and one part ready to not feel anymore turbulence as I admire the expansive sky. But as we all know, if you take a journey by air, turbulence is usually an unwanted part of any long flight on a plane.  

Over this last week, I’ve spent my time in Germany. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of spending every day at Ramstein Air Base and U.S. Army Garrison Rhine Ordnance Barracks. While there, I supported American Red Cross teams as they selflessly and tirelessly provided relief to Afghan evacuees who are making their way to America.

Since the aftermath of the recent collapse of Afghanistan, U.S. military bases around the globe have asked American Red Cross teams to join them in supplying critical relief to Afghan families who escaped Afghanistan. And without missing a beat, American Red Cross volunteers have stepped up to lead the charge to help in this effort. 

During my stay in Germany, I’ve seen humanity at its finest in the form of military spouse volunteers helping. Military spouses are signing up to work around the clock to stock, organize, and distribute critical care items to Afghan allies as they arrive and live on installations temporarily. To date, these volunteers are helping on installations in more than six countries and have distributed more than 240,000 care items. These items range from formula and diapers for babies, to snacks and toys for kids, to feminine hygiene products for women, and comfort kits, blankets, sleeping bags, food, and drink for everyone. 

As I arrived for my first shift at R.O.B., I was greeted by an Army spouse named Tricia. She was taping things to a wall, so I asked her what she was doing. She shared with me that she was taping all of the beautiful drawings the Afghan children made for them. Dozens of pictures colored the wall, many including drawings of the Afghanistan and American flags with hearts in between. 

When I asked Tricia why she signed up to help, this is what she had to say. “I started volunteering with the Red Cross because they were the ones who were directly helping the [Afghan] people. I started volunteering to help the evacuees. I hope I am helping make a difference in their time here. I can only imagine what they’ve been through and will still go through, and I just want to help ease their worries a bit, if I can.” 

For many military spouses, this is their first time volunteering with the American Red Cross. They repeatedly shared with me that they couldn’t let this important moment in history pass them by without raising their hand to help.

So, they rolled up their sleeves and decided to donate their time. 

Many people don’t realize that 90% of the American Red Cross is made up of volunteers. And without question, military spouses are the backbone of the American Red Cross support for Afghan evacuees during this mission, Operation Allies Refuge. Tricia shared, “I think if the spouses didn’t step up, none of this would be happening.  The military can only cover so much, and it is up to us to fill in the gaps. We move so often, and I think volunteering is a way to give back to the communities wherever we are. To be able to help thousands of people as they come though is almost like an extension of what our husbands and wives have already been doing for the last 20 years. It’s our turn.”  

As I make my way back home and stare out the plane’s window, I’m reminded of the selfless, creative, amazing people I met during my time supporting Operation Allies Refuge. Yes, it can feel like we’re living in turbulent times, but that will never take away my awe of the beauty found in this world. Over the course of this last week, that beauty shone bright in the military spouses who smiled, shared, and cared for our Afghan allies and each other.  

If you’re interested in rolling up your sleeves and volunteering with the American Red Cross during this important mission, reach out to your local Red Cross to see if Afghan evacuee support is happening in your region. You can also learn more about Red Cross services to the Armed Forces by visiting, redcross.org/saf.

By Emily Osment for the American Red Cross

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