Instacart Community Proud to Support Afghan Refugees and Address Food Insecurity Challenges

As the United States welcomes thousands of Afghan refugees, food insecurity is quickly emerging as one of the greatest challenges during this humanitarian crisis, especially as many local communities receiving and resettling refugees are still grappling with economic and supply chain hurdles stemming from the pandemic.

Today, Instacart has partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid and relief organizations, to donate 25,000 culturally appropriate grocery meals to Afghan refugees resettling in the United States, helping address food insecurity challenges. We will be working closely with the IRC to direct the resources to communities that need them most. 

In addition, Instacart is proud to partner today with the newly launched Welcome.US, a national campaign mobilizing public, industry, government, nonprofit, and philanthropy support for the Afghan refugee crisis. 

“This is a historic humanitarian crisis, and it will require all of us to step up to help,” said Instacart CEO Fidji Simo. “At Instacart, we believe that food is care, comfort, and nourishment, especially during times of crisis. We are proud to work with the International Rescue Committee and Welcome.US to help provide culturally appropriate food to Afghan refugees as they begin their new lives in communities across America.”

Recognizing that the situation on the ground is evolving day by day, Instacart will work with the International Rescue Committee to ensure these resources are going to the communities that need them most, including but not limited to the Sacramento, California; Seattle, Washington; and Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia areas, which are welcoming especially large numbers of refugees. 

Many of the Afghan refugees being relocated to the U.S. are former interpreters, drivers, and others who supported the American military in Afghanistan, as well as those from high-risk groups like women’s rights activists, human rights activists, judges, academics, journalists, and members of ethnic minorities.

“Of the many challenges that refugees, immigrants, and new arrivals to the U.S. face when rebuilding their lives, IRC staff report that healthy food access is a constant and urgent need across our network of resettlement offices, even before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eugenia Gusev, IRC Technical Advisor, Food Security & Agriculture. “Since then, the already-urgent need for food security has only increased.”

“That is why we’re thrilled to partner with Instacart, who recognizes how important this challenge is, especially for newly resettled refugees in America,” Gusev added. “Through Instacart’s support, IRC’s New Roots Food Security and Agriculture program will be able to mobilize our teams to reach Afghan refugees with groceries, working closely with communities to ensure they are delivered to the areas of highest need.”

Through its partnership with the International Rescue Committee, Welcome.US, and others, Instacart will continue to work with local, state and federal government officials, resettlement agency and refugee support organization leaders, and other key stakeholders to pursue additional opportunities to support as this unprecedented crisis unfolds, with an emphasis on food insecurity.

 “This unique partnership represents America at its best—a commitment to the common good in times of crisis,” said Cecilia Muñoz and John Bridgeland, Co-Chairs of Welcome.US. “Together, we are building a diverse coalition to address the most urgent needs facing our new Afghan neighbors and support them as they start new lives in communities across the country.”

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 85,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.