Four local experts will address socio-economic issues faced by Afghan refugees during the war on terrorism Monday in a forum sponsored by the YWCA.

The public forum, “Afghanistan’s Refugee and Aid Distribution Crisis,” will begin at noon Monday, Feb. 11 in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union.

Saurabh Mishra, YWCA cross-cultural coordinator, said the purpose of the forum is to inform and discuss the current problems affecting Afghanistan and its people.

“It’s often difficult for us to imagine what is going on in Afghanistan and for us to gain a perspective of what is happening there,” said Mishra, junior in computer science.

“In this forum, we will discuss the need to rebuild and how we help do so.”

It is important for Americans to get involved with the rebuilding of Afghanistan, he said.

“We as Americans took it upon ourselves to help them,” Mishra said.

“America has always helped with aid distribution all over the world, and currently, Afghanistan is a perfect candidate for such aid.”

Ron Matthews, executive director of the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross, said the organization’s goal is to help people in serious need.

The American Red Cross, as a part of the International Red Cross, aims to assist people in need across the world, he said.

The Red Cross provides food, blankets, fresh water and many other supplies to the people in needy areas, Matthews said.

ISU students help the situation in Afghanistan by getting involved with the different agencies helping with the aid distribution, he said.

“Most of all, the crucial thing, to help is understanding the need of a group of people who did not choose to be at war, rather are actually innocent victims,” Matthews said.

Students can be involved in two ways, Mishra said. They can either be passive and take steps to become informed and understand what is happening in Afghanistan, or they can be active and volunteer for agencies such as the Red Cross.

Speakers will include Matthews; Balmurli Natrajan, assistant professor of anthropology; Jan Beran, member of the Ames Human Relations Commission; and Julia Anderson, volunteer for UNICEF and several United Nations committees.