Action News has learned that between 250 and 300 refugees have landed.
National Security, Red Cross, and Philadelphia emergency management officials assist newcomers with their COVID-19 paperwork and testing.
Philadelphia is just one of two cities selected to receive refugees.
According to airport officials, the refugees will head to the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base in New Jersey, which has now been dubbed “Operation Task Force Liberty.”
“So far, the Liberty Task Force has supported 1,192 Afghans housed in a mix of hard-faced, soft-faced structures. The final capacity is expected to be at least 10,000,” General Glen Vanherck said. of Northcom.
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But some are likely to make a stop at Pier Five in Camden, New Jersey. This is where a warehouse becomes a shelter if the joint base is delayed.
“Basically, this stage area will provide food, necessities and medical care,” said Camden County spokesman Dan Keeshan.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s office says the operation is led by the federal government. They are collaborating to give refugees access to local immigration services, along with housing and medical care.
“Philadelphia is in solidarity with Afghan refugees and we look forward to offering them a safe haven in our cozy city,” Kenney said in a statement Thursday.
Friday night, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said this is an honor.
“These people have suffered a lot. They are traumatized, with children with them. We just want to have open arms and a welcoming atmosphere,” Kenney said.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy set up a working group on Friday to help Afghan refugees arriving in the state.
Murphy, a Democrat, signed an executive order creating the working group on helping Afghan refugees with the goal of making sure New Jersey is prepared to receive and help those entering the state.
New Jersey’s joint base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, currently hosts Afghans, with military officers proposing to house up to 9,500 people for a year.
In a letter to President Biden, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said, “My administration is collaborating and continuing to work with the federal government and local refugee resettlement agencies to connect resettled refugees in Pennsylvania with benefit programs and support services “.
Refugees will undergo background checks and security tests conducted by U.S. intelligence. After being cleaned, they will move to the United States and, upon arrival, will receive Covid vaccines.
How to help
Many of the refugees who arrive in Philadelphia through this operation do not speak English. To communicate with them, the city is asking for help from volunteers who can play in Dari or Pashto.
All volunteers who can provide interpretation services must be members of the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
To register, visit the SERVPA website and select “Medical Reserve Corps Organizations” from the Where drop-down menu and select Philadelphia MRC “from the submenu. The MRC is actively reviewing applications and will contact you further. as soon as possible.
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