August 15, 2026

Evacuate Our Allies Coalition Statement Marking Five Years Since the U.S. Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan

Washington D.C. — Five years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the Evacuate Our Allies (EOA) coalition continues working to keep America’s promise to Afghan allies. 

When the Taliban swept into Kabul on August 15, 2021, and toppled the Afghan central government, America’s responsibilities and obligations entered a new chapter. Those obligations run to those who served alongside United States forces for decades, as well as Afghans who dedicated themselves to building a more just and free Afghanistan through rights for women and girls, judicial fairness, and a robust civil society.

After trillions of dollars, 2,400 American service members, and more than 100,000 Afghan civilians, soldiers, and police lost, the worst case scenario in Kabul unfolded before our eyes. Amid the total collapse of the Afghan government and chaos of the U.S. withdrawal, Americans across the political spectrum made a commitment to conduct one last operation to bring Afghans to safety. Our commitment to finishing the mission lives on today, five years later. 

From legal, evacuation, and resettlement support to impactful advocacy work with our bipartisan champions in Congress, the EOA Coalition has worked collaboratively to secure and improve policy outcomes, provide essential support to direct service providers and Afghans, and engage communities across the United States to sustain and grow support for Afghan partners.

However, with most pathways to enter the U.S. suspended for Afghans (including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program), many of these Afghan allies remain at risk in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, at Camp As Sayliyah (CAS), and in limbo in third countries such as Pakistan. Those who arrived in the United States also face continued uncertainty amid a changing policy landscape.

Our community’s commitment to our partners has not waned with time. We see in every coalition call and volunteer effort that our community remains resolute and driven to serve until all our Afghan partners can safely rebuild their lives. 

Five years after the fall of Kabul, our mission is not complete, but the goal of keeping our promise to Afghan allies and finishing the mission is attainable.

The EOA Coalition remains actively committed to seeing that promise through, and serving those who served alongside America.

For more on our ongoing efforts marking five years since the fall of Kabul, please see our current policy and outreach resource here.