ASEEL Responds to the Ongoing Crisis in Afghanistan

ASEEL
Responds to the
Ongoing Crisis
in Afghanistan

Aseel was established out of Afghanistan a little over three years ago. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to grow Afghanistan’s artisan sectors and local economies harnessing eCommerce technology and a diverse, young team. Over the last few weeks, we have been monitoring the deteriorating situation on the ground very critically even as we remain fully operational while the Afghan crisis unfolds rapidly. As the situation in Afghanistan worsens due to conflict and the changes that the country is facing, the body count and numbers of internally displaced peoples (IDPs) have increased considerably. The closure of main supply routes means that food and other resources in all areas are becoming scarcer and harder to come by. Our artisans have either closed their businesses or are living in ever-worsening conditions. Our supply chain routes have been majorly affected, which has delayed our current orders. Yet, we persevere past these difficulties because the mission has always been to support Afghanistan.

Aseel wants to assure our Tribe that we are doubling down on our commitment to aid Afghanistan. Despite these challenges, our mission at ASEEL remains the same. We remain committed to improving the lives and livelihoods of all those in artisan communities and beyond throughout the entire country. We remain committed to serving our artisans, vendors, customers, team members, and all impoverished and disenfranchised communities in Afghanistan. To respond directly to this crisis, we have three main missions detailed below.

Support to Internally Displaced People with the launch of ‘Aseel Emergency Response’ Portal:

In addition to our usual support to Afghan artisans, we are launching the Aseel Emergency Response Portal Aseel Emergency Response Portal through which people inside and outside Afghanistan can purchase necessary items in packages for families affected by war. The packages include an Emergency Food Package, Emergency Infants Package, Emergency Life Package, and Emergency Medical and Hygiene Packages. Our team on the ground has identified and started assisting four IDP camps in Kabul, Afghanistan, including Saray Shamali, Kart-e-Se, Shahr-e-Naw and Dasht-e-Barchi. Anyone, anywhere in the world can download the Aseel IOS and Android mobile applications OR go straight to the Aseel Store to start contributing directly to the IDPs, who will continue to be the largest groups of victims from the conflict. Our team on the ground in Kabul will ensure these packages bought by you are delivered directly to IDPs in need, and together we can save lives.

All Aseel Profits Are Dedicated to helping Afghanistan

We commit to providing 100% of our profits to assist the refugees and the Afghan artisans as they live through this crisis. Through the end of 2021, 100% of ASEEL’s profit will be given directly to displaced women and children and others affected by recent events. ASEEL will continue to ensure that artisans are paid directly for their products, and we will maintain our in-country operations in Afghanistan. Any additional profits that normally we would use to scale our business will be used to support IDPs throughout the country. We recognize that the direness of the situation requires everyone to take on more than their usual, to do more than their part, and to maybe even give something up to help others more in need. You as a member of the ASEEL Tribe and every other customer will know, without a doubt, that your purchases will directly impact IDPs of the war in Afghanistan.

Right now, we are opening up our mission to assist any and all in Afghanistan in need. And we cannot do this alone; we need the help of our Aseel Tribe. We have gone from a product-selling, artisan platform to an emergency response platform, from primarily assisting artisans to also aiding IDPs, and from a for-profit company to a 100% for-good company. We understand that the only constant right now is change, and these changes are happening too fast for us to work alone. We want everyone to join Aseel in our mission. With that, we are fully opening up Aseel as a crowd-powered platform. We open the Aseel platform to the following individuals/groups and invite you all to join us in our cause with the Aseel Volunteers Platform.

• People inside Afghanistan who wants to help with the dissemination and support to the IDPs can email [email protected] to support us in helping disseminate the packages to IDPs.

• Social Media Advocates and supporters can email [email protected] to join us in promoting the platform and getting more people to donate crisis response packages.

• International Press and Members of the Media can also email [email protected] to cover us in different media outlets to share our crisis support mission globally.

• Anybody else in any capacity that wants to support the platform please send an email to [email protected] with what you can do to assist us.

The situation in Afghanistan is ever-changing and unfolding. We will weather it as we always have, TOGETHER with determination, hope, and direct action to support those in our country in need. Join us in this latest mission and help us support those who have otherwise been left behind.