Media & Impact
“As our country looks back on two decades of combat in Afghanistan, I understand that many people have hard questions about the costs of the war and what their sacrifices meant...” ― Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Press & Media
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Press Release
Impacts of War documents veterans' sacrifices supporting Afghan allies. Join us to honor promises, drive policy change, and ensure these stories aren't forgotten.
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Three years after Kabul’s fall, veterans still helping allies left behind
A nonprofit group is starting to tally the significant expenses that many vets have spent to save former partners in Afghanistan.
Their impact.
Approximately 800,000 American service members served in Afghanistan. This number does not include the tens of thousands of affiliated contractors or aid workers, nor the 130,000+ foreign troops who contributed to NATO’s mission.
Collectively, respondents report spending more than $2.2mm* since 2021 to protect and resettle Afghan allies. To do so, many have sold their homes, cashed out pensions, or taken on debt.
Impacts of War has received survey responses from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
Unseen Burden
This data is based on preliminary, self-reported survey responses from individuals involved in Afghan ally support efforts. The average contribution and total spending figures are derived solely from received responses and should not be extrapolated to the entire population of supporters or veterans. We encourage readers to view these results in the context of potential biases and limitations inherent in data collection.
Their stories.
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I sacrificed my home purchase, strained my marriage, and sold my assets to help our Afghan partners. If the US Government had stepped in, I would have gladly walked away. Without volunteers, these allies would be forgotten. Both parties failed, causing veterans to bear this burden. By abandoning our Afghan allies, we've forsaken the legacy of those who died serving alongside them.
— Sean, IOW Survey Participant
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The Afghan withdrawal profoundly affected my family. They endured constant anxiety over my well-being and shared in the sadness for our Afghan friends. My intense involvement disrupted our family life, leading to sleepless nights and neglected responsibilities. They witnessed my struggle with mental health and felt the burden of my sense of betrayal. We felt isolated, as others couldn't grasp the gravity of our situation.
— Fred, IOW Survey Participant
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I lost faith in my country after Afghanistan's fall. Yet, amidst this disappointment, I found purpose. I'm forever proud that I helped my interpreter, his wife, and their eight children escape the Taliban. My interpreter gave our country 15 years of honorable service, and while our government may have abandoned them, I refused to do so. This act of keeping our promise restored a piece of what was lost. It reminds me that even when institutions fail, individuals can still uphold the values we hold dear.
— Kevin, IOW Survey Participant