NEW YORK — Upwardly Global is thrilled to announce that its Afghan response campaign has been recognized as a finalist in Ragan’s Crisis Communications Awards in the Public Affairs category. This honor recognizes the hard work and dedication of the entire team, who have been committed to providing support and resources to Afghan newcomers.
Ragan’s Crisis Communications Awards acknowledges the campaigns, messaging, responses, people, and teams that were instrumental in mitigating the damage caused by a crisis, according to Ragan Communications. Award winners will be announced in April.
Since the U.S. welcomed over 75,000 Afghans fleeing Taliban rule, Upwardly Global has been leading the response effort, providing tailored programs and resources to help Afghan refugees find skill-aligned employment and stability for their families in the U.S. To document these efforts, Upwardly Global created a microsite featuring multimedia stories of accomplished Afghan newcomers who found skill-aligned jobs through the organization’s career coaching and skilling program. The campaign included social media content, digital ads, and advocacy around passing the Afghan Adjustment Act. To support the campaign, Upwardly Global’s Afghan job seekers were featured in news outlets like CNBC and HR Magazine among others.
“We are ecstatic that our work uplifting the voices, skills, and contributions of our Afghan community is not only being recognized but amplified,” said Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO of Upwardly Global. “Being named a finalist in the Crisis Communications Awards is a testament to the effectiveness of Upwardly Global’s communication strategy.”
However, the work is far from over. In August of 2023, 36,000 Afghan newcomers may face deportation unless critical legislative or administrative action is taken to protect their statuses. Support Upwardly Global’s ongoing efforts to help Afghan refugees rebuild their lives in safety and learn more about the $1.71 billion potential of Afghan newcomers in Upwardly Global’s new report.