FREEING THE OPPRESSED
⊕ SAVING LIVES
⊕ PROTECTING FAMILIES
⊕ HONORING AMERICA’S PROMISE
Operated by Green Berets, the 1208 Foundation provides life saving assistance and immigration advocacy to the survivors of National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG) and other Afghans who served with American Special Operators. The NMRG were Afghan citizens who put their lives on the line by clearing IEDs for America’s Special Forces, and for that, it is our mission to ensure that America honors it's promise by ensuring their welfare and chance at a better life.
Our Fundraiser with NatGeo's Retrograde:
STATISTICS
⊕ COUNTLESS AMERICAN LIVES SAVED by the NMRG
⊕ 75 FAMILIES evacuated from Afghanistan (450 people)
⊕ 300 NMRG FAMILIES still in Afghanistan (1,800 people overall)
⊕ TENS OF THOUSANDS IEDs disabled by the NMRG
COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S
In recent months, the 1208 Foundation has collaborated closely with the producers of Retrograde, a deeply intimate account of the end of America's twenty-year war in Afghanistan, from both US and Afghan perspectives. Many of our Afghan Allies featured in the film have very literally fought side by side with those of us in the 1208 Foundation. For those who have followed us for some time, "Hank" the NMRG minesweeper, and "Gary" the interpreter are featured, as is Retired LTC Matt Chaney, who now serves as the Chairman of our Board. While our colleagues in the documentary are now safe, caring for them in the long term while their visa applications are processed still promises to be a long-term ordeal. Retrograde is very much continuing to this day: there are thousands of US allies who are still forced to fend for themselves in the wake of the US withdrawal. If you were at all touched by what you saw in the film, please consider donating to support their welfare and continued efforts towards resettlement and a hopeful future.
Many people in the film are now under our care. If you were at all touched by what you saw, please consider donating to support their welfare and continued resettlement efforts.
These guys were literally there to take an IED on our behalf. There was an unspoken pact that they would take this risk in exchange for us providing help down the road. That puts a pretty substantial moral burden on our shoulders.
---
THOMAS KASZA, GREEN BERET
(Interview Military Times)
WHO THE NMRG ARE
⊕ The National Mine Reduction Group were Afghans under the direct employment of US Army Special Forces, and were responsible for detecting and clearing IEDs, mines and explosive munitions. Without question, theirs was the most dangerous job in Afghanistan.
⊕ The most trusted partners to US Army Green Berets: The NMRG were the only Afghans who could carry weapons on US bases, and all underwent extensive vetting procedures, to include polygraphs.
⊕ The unstated reality of their service was that they were there to hold the mine detector so that an American didn’t have to. Because of the nature of their profession, every NMRG life lost in combat allowed for a Green Beret or EOD Tech to return home.
READ SARBAZ'S STORY, JUST ONE OF MANY FROM THE NMRG.
WHO WE ARE
⊕ The 1208 Foundation is a nonprofit organization run by current and former Green Berets and EOD Techs (Explosive Ordnance Technicians) who served in Afghanistan and are seeking to uphold America’s moral obligation to our closest allies.
WHAT WE DO
PROVIDE DIRECT AID
We operate safe houses, coordinate medical aid and provide critical supplies for NMRG members & their families who are still in Afghanistan.
PROVIDE DIRECT IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE
We assist NMRG members in navigating the complex process of applying for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and fund all necessary applications and documentation. Once a SIV is granted, we provide travel and housing assistance to help get the NMRG & their families safely out of Afghanistan.
ADVOCATE FOR SIV PRIORITIZATION
We advocate for special prioritization in the SIV process for those who saved American lives: especially because their lives are still at risk because of it.
BUILD AWARENESS
We raise awareness on behalf of the NMRG, the sacrifices they made, and the dangers they face today because of it.
HOW WE DO IT
PROVIDE DIRECT AID
We use point to point wire transfer of funds; no intermediaries.
PROVIDE ANCILLARY SERVICES
Cooperate with other NGOs who have existing logistics networks throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan to provide critical resources
IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE
Facilitate communication between the NMRG on the ground, and State Department case-workers. Fund necessary documentation.
GROW AWARENESS
Networking with media, NGOs and policy-makers to educate the public on the sacrifices made by the NMRG and the dangers they face today because of it.
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