Ask HN: What’s the best way to help people in Afghanistan?
hutzlibu 2021-08-17 09:23:02 +0000 UTC [ - ]
The world is big, with a long list of problems.
A single person cannot fix the mess of global powers. I believe one of the reason for the mess, is too many people "knowing better" and from the outside how to fix things.
But strictly pragmatically speaking:
I would try to put pressure on politicians, that they are serious to get at least some of the people out, who are seriously under threat - basically everyone not radical islamic. But you see the problem with even that?
42droids 2021-08-17 10:32:08 +0000 UTC [ - ]
hutzlibu 2021-08-17 14:36:37 +0000 UTC [ - ]
Well, I would say, it is the current crisis, the western world has its attention on.
My point was, if you are in a position to help, you should find many beneficial organisations in need of support - all the time.
42droids 2021-08-17 20:06:07 +0000 UTC [ - ]
hutzlibu 2021-08-17 21:51:23 +0000 UTC [ - ]
phekunde 2021-08-17 09:58:03 +0000 UTC [ - ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m7uL4Q44ws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6jItZF5ZeU
It is said that history repeats itself!
dnh44 2021-08-17 11:17:51 +0000 UTC [ - ]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan:_The_Great_Game_–_...
I've not read the book or watched the documentary myself but I've had it recommended to me by lots of people and the documentary won a BAFTA in 2012 for best factual series.
noduerme 2021-08-17 09:29:58 +0000 UTC [ - ]
*(FTW, this is probably Biden's strategy to destabilize Iran).
LinuxBender 2021-08-17 11:58:13 +0000 UTC [ - ]
For those remaining in Afghanistan, there is not likely much you could do without putting yourself in harms way or making things worse.
cblconfederate 2021-08-18 09:40:02 +0000 UTC [ - ]
allendoerfer 2021-08-17 10:45:16 +0000 UTC [ - ]
When my country invaded Afghanistan together with the US, I was too young to vote and to see the similiarties to Vietnam. Our leaders and population where blinded by 9/11 and got themselves into that mess, even though they could have known better. Should my country in my lifetime again try to invade another country together with the US I will vote for a party that supports leaving Nato.
I am not a pacifist and I think the US as a nation is still our best option when it comes to global superpower. At some point as informed members of society, we have to start remembering. I think it is on me and you to stop the next Vietnam in a few decades. So we cannot help Afghanistan now, but when the time comes and the US wants to repeat Vietnam yet another time, you should remember the pictures of the helicopters in Saigon or the planes in Kabul. When they come up with some phony reasons, we should remember how even 9/11 was a bad reason to invade Afghanistan.
admissionsguy 2021-08-17 15:05:49 +0000 UTC [ - ]
JSeymourATL 2021-08-17 13:34:27 +0000 UTC [ - ]
readonthegoapp 2021-08-17 10:13:20 +0000 UTC [ - ]
That's the minimal start, i would say.
kleer001 2021-08-17 22:31:55 +0000 UTC [ - ]
xyzzy21 2021-08-17 20:53:47 +0000 UTC [ - ]
penguinlinux 2021-08-17 13:53:47 +0000 UTC [ - ]
I hope the Taliban might be a little more moderate this time and that innocent people won't lose their lives because now they are in power.
hutzlibu 2021-08-17 14:33:49 +0000 UTC [ - ]
"Literacy rate in Afghanistan increased to 43 per cent"
https://uil.unesco.org/interview-literacy-rate-afghanistan-i...
Fear can make people dump as sheep, but might it be possible, that they actually did not know it? And maybe rather saw stupid movies where a person gets dragged inside while flying?
"I hope the Taliban might be a little more moderate this time"
Very likely, they want to stabilize their power - for this they need international acception: they already got it from russia and china.
And I can already read on many places in western news, like how the taliban already improved, so you could make buisness with them. And I mean: in fundamental principles, are they actually much worse, than for example Saudi Arabia still is? I assume they will try to show "soft islamism" is possible and continue to fight more radical IS and co.
raxxorrax 2021-08-17 15:14:19 +0000 UTC [ - ]
runawaybottle 2021-08-17 12:19:35 +0000 UTC [ - ]
Make online courses in their language so their women can at least learn to read.
Good luck.
rajacombinator 2021-08-18 02:01:24 +0000 UTC [ - ]
monsterisgood 2021-08-17 10:42:30 +0000 UTC [ - ]
You and I are common people. We can't do anything.
m0rti 2021-08-17 17:51:54 +0000 UTC [ - ]
- Don’t vote for people who actively seek new enemies. - Talk to your representative and tell them to not support foreign invasions. - Don’t believe everything the western media says the next time USA decides to invade some country.
For now:
I don’t think any amount of money will help since the US spent trillions to achieve the opposite. Taliban is stronger than ever.
You can try and raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan and call out western leaders for their hypocrisy and mistakes. Let them not act like this was a success. Since the US is the best democracy, use your voting power and social media influence. It is basically like cancelling somebody but this time you are cancelling politicians from decision-making positions.
Invasions make bad situations worse.
42droids 2021-08-17 20:07:17 +0000 UTC [ - ]