FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristyn Peck, CEO
Media@lssnca.org
(202) 578-2844

Washington D.C. – Last Thursday, the world witnessed a suicide bombing outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan killing 13 U.S. Service Members, 60 Afghan nationals, and injuring 18 other U.S. service members. Early Monday morning following a tense weekend in Kabul, rockets targeted HKIA as the U.S. deadline for U.S. forces to leave Afghanistan nears.

Evacuations out of Kabul continue despite the attacks as hundreds of U.S. citizens and thousands of Afghan Allies still remain in Afghanistan. A White House official has said that more than 114,400 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14.[1]

The following is a statement from Kristyn Peck, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), a local refugee resettlement agency in the D.C. Metro area assisting in the relocation and resettlement of Afghan Allies and refugees:

“We are devastated by the abhorrent attacks that have rattled Kabul as U.S. citizens and Afghan Allies attempt to evacuate. As we mourn the victims of this senseless attack, we also keep lift their families, and Americans and Afghan Allies still in Afghanistan in our hearts and prayers.”

“As evacuations continue, many Afghan families will arrive in the United States in the coming weeks and join the thousands that have already been evacuated. Since July 31, LSSNCA has welcomed nearly 500 Afghan Allies and family members to our community through the mobilization and extraordinary support of the Afghan community, local congregations, multi-faith coalitions, businesses, and generous individuals. We are continually humbled by the heroism of our service members protecting our allies overseas and the warrior-spirit exhibited every day within our own community as neighbors join together to serve those in need.”

###

Since 1917, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) has promoted welcoming and compassionate communities with the help of partners and volunteers. Today, LSSNCA serves the Washington Metropolitan Area through refugee and immigrant resettlement, workforce development, foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors, adoption services, CARE for Newcomers, healthy relationships education, and Youth Haven.

[1] Jaclyn Diaz, Kabul Airport Is Targeted By Rockets As The Deadline For U.S. Troops To Leave Nears (NPR, 2021)