In the timeline below, we share, for the first time, a detailed picture of our involvement in Afghanistan.
Rainbow Railroad's Involvement in Afghanistan - A Timeline
Rainbow Railroad shares its involvement in Afghanistan live on CNN on September 17, 2021.
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Our Work in Afghanistan.
Rainbow Railroad has, since August 13, 2021, been one of the few civil society organizations focused on supporting the LGBTQI+ community in Afghanistan.
In the timeline below, we share a comprehensive look at our work in Afghanistan over the past 12 months.
In that time, we have received more than 5,400 requests for help from Afghanistan, provided life-saving support and financial assistance to 648 people across numerous programs, including the resettlement of 247 LGBTQI+ Afghans into Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom and Ireland and done this work at a direct cost of at least $1.5 Million, with more needs imminent as we work to continue our response
Learn more below.
AUG
2021
2021
Requests for Help, August 13-31: 457
In August 2021, Rainbow Railroad begins its response in Afghanistan. Almost overnight, our requests for help go from 50 to 457.
August 15
President Ashraf Ghani flees Afghanistan as Kabul falls to the Taliban
August 18
Rainbow Railroad releases its first statement on the situation in Afghanistan. Click to read.
Our work is featured in Time Magazine in an article about the plight facing LGBTQI+ Afghans
August 26
A suicide bombing occurs place at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. At least 183 people are killed. Rainbow Railroad caseworkers were engaged with individuals impacted by the bombing in their attempts to flee the country.
Rainbow Railroad attempts to secure its first seats on US military charter flights as we post an update on work our work in Afghanistan. Click here to read.
SEP
2021
2021
September 20
The Canadian federal election occurs.
In lead-up to election, Rainbow Railroad issues a 3-part call to action to the Canadian government, including requests for a direct referring partnership and an emergency response plan for international refugee crises.
September 1
Rainbow Railroad Executive Director Kimahli Powell travels to Pakistan to facilitate the opening of a safehouse. Since its opening, over 150 Afghans have received support and shelter through this operation.
Between late August and early September, Rainbow Railroad coordinated with a local youth LGBTQI+ collective in Afghanistan to support their evacuation work. Through triage and negotiation support, Rainbow Railroad contributed to the evacuation of more than 50 individuals.
Requests for Help : 387
In early September, Rainbow Railroad began receiving reports of extreme violence towards LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan, including public executions.
OCT
2021
2021
Requests for Help: 605
In early October, Rainbow Railroad is approved to bring LGBTQI+ Afghans into the United Kingdom
October 29, 2021
29 Afghans arrive in the UK supported by Rainbow Railroad – our first emergency direct referral operation, and the first LGBTQI+ Afghans taken by the UK
Almost 100 Afghans supported by Rainbow Railroad have since been resettled through this pathway; among them were human rights advocates, healthcare workers, civilians & their families
NOV
2021
2021
November 1, 2021
Rainbow Railroad joins other human rights organizations in demanding action from the Canadian Government in a landmark open letter.
Requests for Help: 795
DEC
2021
2021
Requests for help: 946
Our requests for help hit their peak – 946 in a single month
December 15
Rainbow Railroad briefs staff from House Foreign Affairs Committee in the US on the ongoing status of the crisis
JAN
2022
2022
January 26
Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International, with the direct consultation of Rainbow Railroad, issue a report detailing the unfolding situation and its impact on LGBTQI+ people on the ground in Afghanistan
Requests for Help: 817
Rainbow Railroad secures a team of 60 pro bono lawyers to help process and facilitate resettlement of 200 LGBTQI+ Afghans headed by the Battista Immigration Law Group.
FEB
2022
2022
February 24
Russia invades Ukraine, and western governments have still yet to actualize Rainbow Railroad’s call for an emergency response plan to protect LGTBQI+ individuals during refugee crises
While requests from help from Afghanistan continue, Rainbow Railroad is now dealing with two global geopolitical crises
MAR
2022
2022
APR
2022
2022
April 8
Rainbow Railroad meets with Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in Canada Sean Fraser and Parliamentary Secretary Marie-France Lalonde to discuss the ongoing need for a resettlement partnership to help vulnerable LGBTQI+ Afghans get to safety in Canada.
April 25
Minister Sean Fraser appears in front of the Canadian Parliamentary Special Committee on Afghanistan, where he’s pressed on instituting direct referral partnerships to support vulnerable groups from Afghanistan
MAY
2022
2022
May 20
Rainbow Railroad launches the Safe Way Out campaign to call on the Canadian government to step up and support Rainbow Railroad through a direct referring partnership. Thousands have signed.
Kimahli addresses Canada’s Special Parliamentary Committee on Afghanistan. Watch here.
JUN
2022
2022
JUL
2022
2022
July 29
Rainbow Railroad meets with Minister Sean Fraser at his constituency office in Halifax, where Minister Fraser also meets Aseer – a trans Afghan newcomer whose resettlement was supported by Rainbow Railroad. Rainbow Railroad continues to signal the need to support more LGBTQI+ Afghans in partnership with the government
SEP
2022
2022
