ROCKINGHAM — The humanitarian crisis that resulted from the sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last August has inspired more than 30 Bellows Falls area residents to form a group called Rockingham Area Refugee Resettlement (RARR).
In a news release, RARR said its mission is “to aid those Afghan allies who helped our troops during our long war there.”
In order to streamline organizational requirements, RARR said its effort is allied closely with the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) office in Brattleboro, the main organization that is working to settle Afghan refugees in southern Vermont.
RARR says it is “locating apartments for rent, household goods and furniture, clothing, children's items, and all manner of aid and support in order to ease the refugees' transition from the life of terror in a war-torn country to the peace and safely of beautiful Vermont.”
The group is looking forward to supporting the first couple to come to Bellows Falls later this month and hopes that more refugees will follow them.
“RARR will endeavor to integrate these individuals into our community and we hope they will be able to fill some of the many open jobs that exist. All of the refugees bring valuable skills to the area.”
State Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, D-Putney, said she is “excited to see our community pulling together to welcome our new Afghan neighbors. They are looking for a safe, welcoming place to live. Vermont is in dire need of people to address our workforce needs. Together we will all benefit and can build a better Vermont.
If you would like to get updates on this project, contact Lyn Parker Haas at lhaas@sover.net.