Three former U.S. presidents and their wives will join an effort to rally volunteers to support Afghan refugees build new lives in America. This report produced by Zachary Goelman.
Three former U.S. presidents - Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton - have banded together behind a new group aimed at supporting refugees from Afghanistan settling in the United States.
The former U.S. leaders and their wives will serve as part of Welcome.US, a coalition of advocacy groups, U.S. businesses and other leaders launching on Tuesday.
In a statement, Welcome.US said it will help the tens of thousands of Afghans fleeing their country following the U.S. withdrawal by mobilizing support and volunteers.
In the statement, George W. Bush and his wife Laura said, "Thousands of Afghans stood with us on the front lines to push for a safer world, and now they need our help. We are proud to support Welcome.US and the work to help Afghan families get settled and build new lives,"
Representatives for Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The council also draws support from more than 280 people and entities, including U.S. businesses such as Microsoft, Starbucks, CVS Health and AirBnB, as well as numerous nonprofit organizations, veterans' groups and resettlement agencies.
Tens of thousands of refugees were airlifted out of Afghanistan in recent weeks in a hasty pullout that drew some sharp criticism.
Democratic President Joe Biden's administration is working to accommodate as many as 50,000 refugees on military bases in the United States.
Republican former President Donald Trump was not listed as part of the effort. Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, who is 96, was also not listed.
REUTERS