Dear Members and Friends of AAFSW,
It is my pleasure to share with you the busy start we have had this year at AAFSW.
On January 30, 2025, AAFSW was honored to host the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States of America, Nazar Al Khirullah. This program inaugurated our Ambassador Speaker Series in 2025 and welcomed the new year. AAFSW’s Program Chair Sheila Switzer, members, friends and guests were grateful to hear from Ambassador Al Khirullah about the current situation and the prospects for the people of Iraq and the region.
The rich history of Iraq and Mesopotamia, one of the six cradles of civilization, significantly contributed to the development of human society. In light of recent events and the emergence of new leaderships, the Ambassador's insights were particularly valuable, as there is an opportunity in the region to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and entrepreneurialism. In a private and off-the-record discussion, Ambassador Al Khirullah shared with our members, guests, and volunteers how the shift from autocracies to empowering individuals could serve as a role model for other countries still under authoritarian control, setting a vision for the future.
On January 28, “a significant development took place in Goma, with rebels seizing the airport, the largest in East Congo. This event had a substantial impact on hundreds of thousands of displaced people. In Kinshasa, 1,600 km (1,000 miles) west of Goma, protesters attacked a U.N. compound and several embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, and the United States”.
On Thursday, January 30, AAFSW Evacuee Support Network Co-Chairs Melanie McFeeters and Dorothea Cypher-Erickson were informed that 250 evacuees, including 90 children, would arrive on a chartered flight with dogs, cats, and a guinea pig on Friday, January 31. The evacuees were limited to one backpack each, and with the weather generally in the 80s, everyone needed warm clothes, coats and hats. Within 24 hours, a task force led by Melanie and Dorothea sprang into action.
A heartfelt thank you to those who have been tirelessly answering emails and coordinating donation pickups without rest for days. Your efforts—whether buying snacks for kids or finding help for various needs—have been invaluable.
Gratitude also goes out to everyone involved in handling donations across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Your contributions, from bringing pet food and supplies, printing and bagging items, picking up donations, making calls to assist, and donating, have all been deeply appreciated. This has truly been a team effort.
On Monday, February 3, AAFSW hosted a coffee at our office for evacuee families in need of more supplies from your generous donations. AAFSW’s volunteers were on-site to provide additional information, particularly regarding schools and babysitting.
This year, AAFSW will continue to address eligible family employment (EFM) employment in coordination with the Department of State. Current initiatives and projects aim to enhance employment opportunities for EFMs and identify areas where additional support or resources are needed.
Collaboration on evacuation and force-evacuation support procedures, supporting unaccompanied tour (UT) families in the greater Washington D.C. area and families during crises are also a priority, through collaboration with GCLO UT, and more inter-agency collaboration.
Plans for our USAID colleagues' return home have been addressed. Some now have up to 30 days to do so, with potential extensions for schooling, medical reasons, and close-down tasks. We understand everyone's concerns and the need to act thoughtfully, allowing time for this while remaining observant.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who helped during this time. Your unwavering support and dedication are instrumental in our journey. We could not have come this far without you.
Sincerely,
Celine
