Local nonprofit asking for community's help in welcoming Afghan refugees to Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A local nonprofit is asking for the community's help in welcoming 800 Afghan refugees to Tulsa in the next coming weeks.

As the sole refugee resettlement agency for Oklahoma, the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma has been asked to take in refugees by the US State Department.

Made up of nearly 200 families, the Afghan refugees were rescued from the situation at the Kabul International Airport.

Volunteers said they plan to meet short and long term needs for families coming over from Afghanistan.

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A local nonprofit is asking for the community's help in welcoming 800 Afghan refugees to Tulsa in the next coming weeks.

As the sole refugee resettlement agency for Oklahoma, the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma has been asked to take in refugees by the US State Department.

Made up of nearly 200 families, the Afghan refugees were rescued from the situation at the Kabul International Airport.

Volunteers said they plan to meet short and long term needs for families coming over from Afghanistan.

"A few of the initial needs we will meet are providing a warm welcome, settling families into a safe and furnished home, providing food and clothing assistance," the nonprofit posted on Facebook.

"Made up of approximately 200 families, these refugees have been rescued from the difficult situation that has unfolded at the Kabul airport," Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma said. The families in question have assisted our US servicemen and were selected by the US Government to come to the United States."

Organizers said the refugees have been screened and vetted from a health and security perspective.

Refugees are expected over the next six weeks, however volunteers said that program could stretch out until March 2022.

The Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma is looking for help from the community in the following areas:

• Donating items to set up furnished apartments for every Afghan family the nonprofit receives.
• Making a financial contribution to help the organization assist families with rent, utilities, transportation, and food.
• Providing creative housing solutions and hosting families.

Finally, the charity is asking the Green Country community for engaging volunteers.

"This effort requires servant hearts and many, many hands," the nonprofit said in a Facebook post.

For more information on helping the organization in welcoming Afghan refugees to Tulsa, visit their website.

Local nonprofit asking for community's help in welcoming Afghan refugees to Tulsa | ktul