TRENTON, N.J. — (1010 WINS) In the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack at Kabul airport Thursday that killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is making good on his promise to bring in Afghan refugees "imminently" announcing the formation of a task force to assist their transition into the Garden State.
"As Afghan refugees arrive at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, we must act to ensure that the State is prepared to adequately receive and assist these individuals that courageously assisted our country in the War on Terror,” Murphy said. “Our newly established task force will oversee efforts to welcome refugees and their families to their new lives in the United States and New Jersey. I have full trust and confidence in the Adjutant General to lead this task force in coordinating our response to the ongoing arrival of refugees to our state.”
The task force will be headed by Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Brigadier General Dr. Lisa J. Hou, a veteran of the Afghanistan War where she served as a field surgeon and a sole medical provider on an Afghanistan National Army base.
"The Task Force stands ready to support our mission partners,” Hou said. "We recognize the sacrifice of our Afghan allies and American and NATO service members these past 20 years. We pledge every effort to alleviate the human tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan."
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Chief Counsel to the Governor, the Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor, the Executive Director of the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office, and the Commissioners from other Departments will serve on the commission as well.
Along with welcoming incoming Afghan refugees, the task force will also provide medical support as well as coordinate communications between the state and federal government on refugee relocation as well as other key responsibilities.