TOMS RIVER, NJ – New Jersey’s Joint Base MDL has been selected to house a ‘significant amount’ of Afghan nationals fleeing the Taliban, the U.S. Department of Defense and Governor Phil Murphy confirmed today.
Governor Murphy applauded the Department of Defense decision days after he offered his state as a possible host to thousands of refugees fleeing war-torn and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
“We will welcome Afghan refugees with open arms here in New Jersey at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” Murphy tweeted. “Our state has always served as a shining beacon of hope to the world, and we will do everything in our power to help these refugees rebuild their lives.”
Joint Base MDL said they will attempt to focus on security. The once open base was closed to the public and most veterans after the 9-11 terror attacks that sparked the twenty-year war in Afghanistan.
“As many of you are aware, U.S. service members and our allies are working around the clock to safely evacuate individuals from Kabul,” the Department of Defense staff at Joint Base MDL said. “Our installation has been selected to support Task Force MDL. The Task Force will provide housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support for vulnerable Afghans as they begin to arrive in the United States over the upcoming days.”
It has not been determined what will happen to the refugees once they are released from the base or where they will be housed while at the base.
“The security of our community, including our guests, remains the number one priority, and we are taking the appropriate measures to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy,” Joint Base MDL said. “Understanding the urge for many to help, we will send out information on where and how to provide donations or support once we’ve identified the proper avenues with the appropriate aid agencies.”