Afghan refugees will be arriving at Camp Atterbury in Indiana beginning at the end of the week. They will be provided with a temporary place of shelter at the barracks at Camp Atterbury as they are processed into the United States.
Camp Atterbury can house up to 10,000 people, if necessary, but they are ready for the first 1,000 refugees who will be arriving later this week. Up to 5,000 refugees are anticipated. They will be medically screened there for 14 days and given the COVID-19 vaccine and other Indiana-mandated vaccines until they are able to leave the facility to be with other family members or on their own. That movement will be coordinated with nongovernmental agencies committed to work with them in this transition.
Additional numbers of military police officers and medical personnel will be at Camp Atterbury during this time.
The refugees are not anticipated to stay there for a long period of time.
Governor Eric Holcomb and Brigadier General R. Dale Lyles, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, said during a press conference Wednesday morning that there will be no cost to the state in this effort and donations have been coming in to assist with needs for those who will be sheltered at the base. Many of the refugees will not have money or many personal items with them when they arrive.
Holcomb said the State of Indiana is ready to welcome and refugees who may want to stay in Indiana permanently.
Despite this activity, Indiana National Guardsmen will still be able to assist with the administration of COVID-19 testing and vaccines to Hoosiers. They have been deployed once again to work with the Indiana Department of Health to get as many people tested and vaccinated as possible as the Delta surge continues. Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said last week that 300 soldiers will be available in this endeavor.
Governor Holcomb also stated during the press conference that he does not have any intention of reinstituting a statewide mask mandate.
