Zaman International Poised to Assist Afghanistan Refugees Arriving in Michigan

In 1996, Zaman International founder and CEO Najah Bazzy was a transcultural clinical nurse specialist, working with a family who had recently immigrated to the United States and whose infant son was deathly ill with a terminal illness. Bazzy offered cultural, clinical, and spiritual support to the family and upon visiting their home, was horrified to see the family lacked the most basic necessities for any home. The experience inspired Bazzy to rally her community to assist families who were struggling by donating food, clothing and household goods. The effort was a success and Zaman International was formed.

In 2004, Zaman International-Hope for Humanity became an NGO (non-governmental organization with a social mission) committed to addressing basic needs and assisting marginalized women and children through relief and development programs. The organization accomplishes this through direct assistance, English literacy education, and job skills training here at home while partnering with international relief organizations to meet needs overseas.

Currently, Zaman is working with local and international partners to bring relief to those impacted by the tragic circumstances in Lebanon, Haiti, and Afghanistan. Zaman's 2021 Lift Lebanon Campaign is working to obtain life-saving medications and medical supplies to assist those impacted by the prolonged economic and health crisis there. In Haiti, the need continues for emergency medical relief following the double blows of an earthquake which hit the area on August 14, then a direct hit days later from Tropical Depression Grace. More than a million people remain without access to medical care, food, or drinkable water. "For Haiti, because we also participate in disaster relief wherever it is in the world, it we can raise funds for disaster relief we will definitely try to do that," says Najah Bazzy. In collaboration with the global organization International Medical Corps, Bazzy explains Zaman is working to provide a mobile medical unit to Haiti. "When you have an earthquake there is so much rubble...a mobile medical unit can get through. It's really a life-saving treatment, almost like a trauma center in a truck."

Since Zaman began with the mission of helping refugees resettle once they arrive in the United States, the organization will once again step up to offer assistance to refugees arriving in Michigan from Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from that nation last month. "Over the past 20 years, it's been a long haul but we've diversified, obviously you don't always have refugees but we know that base well," says Bazzy. "Zaman stands as an agency that takes care of everyone from any walk of life, like single moms that live in poverty with their children, but we do have a niche in the refugee area." Zaman has previously worked to assist refugees from Bosnia, Iraq, and Syria and is currently in contact with local refugee resettlement agencies as it formulates a plan for assisting those who will be arriving from Afghanistan. Earlier this month, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said he expects the United States will admit more than 50,000 refugees from Afghanistan, but Bazzy says there is no way to know how many will settle in southeast Michigan.

"We do not find them their homes; that's what the refugee resettlement agencies do. We have a program that helps them for six months to one year...after their three months is complete with the refugee resettlement organization," says Bazzy. Zaman will assist with food and clothing needs, rent, utilities, household items and personal items such as laundry detergent and diapers, and furniture. Zaman International is asking for the community's help in meeting these needs in the way of monetary donations or donations of new or gently used household items. Bazzy adds, "We have surpassed helping 300,000 people here locally. Our relief effort is part of the donor's desire to help where it can, but our focus is here in southeast Michigan."

If you are able to help Zaman International with these relief efforts go to http://www.zamaninternational.org or call 313-551-3994.