Working tirelessly since August when the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, Americans from all walks of life – politicians, aid workers, veterans – rushed to help their Afghan allies flee the falling country.
Three and half months later, with the lives of thousands of Afghans in the balance, a coalition of more than 100 veterans' groups and civilians is calling on US President Joe Biden for more support.
The group known as #AfghanEvac sent a letter to Mr Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leaders Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell asking for more help.
“The sheer volume and complexity of this crisis, however, renders our work untenable without increasing the formal support of the US government,” the letter said.
The group outlined 15 steps the government should take to meet its commitment to the Afghans who helped them over the course of the 20-year conflict.
In the outline, the group urges the Biden administration to appoint a leader with a dedicated staff responsible for interagency co-ordination and creating a multi-year plan for removing vulnerable Afghans.
The group also wants the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to expedite visa processing for Afghans eligible for special immigrant visas.
It wants the departments to provide more mental health support for Afghans who have made it to the US or are on US bases abroad, and for the veterans and volunteers who have been involved with the evacuation efforts.
Shawn VanDiver, a US Navy veteran and founder of #AfghanEvac, said the letter should not “be misconstrued as a negative lens” of the group's work with the US government over the past three months, but a reflection of just how much work there is still to do.
"Now is not the time to retreat to predictable partisan corners,” the letter said. “This is a time to stand together, united in our shared belief that the promise of America remains worth preserving.
"The Afghans who stood alongside our troops, diplomats and other American interests in Afghanistan have been, and will forever remain, welcome in our communities."
Mr VanDiver said veterans' groups would continue to pressure Washington to step up.
“Those who try to retreat to partisan corners will find themselves under the ire of veterans' groups who are trying to make sure we get this thing done,” he told The National.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
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Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
