The US has announced a new program to allow groups of private citizens to sponsor Afghan refugees to resettle in America.

The Biden administration has brought more than 65,000 Afghans to military bases across the country after the evacuation airlift ended 20 years of US involvement in Afghanistan.

Now, there are plans to bring around 30,000 more in the next year.

The US State Department has authorised a new non-profit called Community Sponsorship Hub to vet and train groups of private Americans that apply to host an Afghan refugee in their community – using support from their local community and not-for-profit organisations.

The State Department says the new program “harnesses this outpouring of support and enables individuals to become directly involved in the welcome and integration of our new neighbours.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the program “showcases the powerful role that individuals can play in coming together to welcome and integrate Afghans into American society, reflecting our spirit of goodwill and generosity.”

Since the refugee resettlement program was founded in 1980, it has been delivered by nine resettlement agencies with 200 local affiliates across the country.

With US government funding, they provide initial services, from finding housing to buying groceries, enrolling children in school to seeking employment.

Now, ordinary Americans can join together to do the same thing within their own community.

Under the program, groups of at least five adults apply together and have to complete background checks, fundraise at least $US2,275 per refugee, pass a ‘knowledge check’, and submit a detailed ‘welcome plan’ for an Afghan refugee.

Once they are vetted and certified, they will be matched with an Afghan refugee or refugee family that has chosen to be resettled through the program. Their support must cover at least the refugee’s first 90 days in the community.

The US government also authorised up to $US976 million from the nation’s ‘s Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to support Afghan refugee resettlement, a massive increase in funding that has been welcomed by refugee advocates.