Tag: Islamic Relief

April 7, 2020

HAD and Islamic Relief assess Orphans Sponsorship Programme

Kawkaba Samadzada Blog Islamic Relief, Orphans Sponsorship Programme, Sector News

April 7, 2020
HAD and Islamic Relief assess Orphans Sponsorship Programme

“They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, “Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.”

Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 215 (2:215), Holy Qur’an (Translation: Sahih International)

Biggest Islamic Relief Impact Study so far

This year, HAD’s Research and Development Department, alongside Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW)’s MEAL team and the Orphans and Child Welfare Department, are conducting an impact study of Islamic Relief’s global Orphans Sponsorship Programme. The assessment aims to inform future IR programming in this area. This is the first study of its kind for Islamic Relief, being the biggest impact study conducted by the organisation so far. Funded by Islamic Relief Canada, UK and USA, the project consists of a training element, quantitative data collection (in 9 countries), and qualitative programmes (in 5 countries). The project officially commenced in February 2020 and is due to be completed in December 2020.

Vulnerability of orphans

In 2015, UNICEF estimated there to be nearly 140 million child orphans (without one or both parents) in the world. The variety of hardships they face in daily life are often exacerbated by their geographical location as well as intersecting identity characteristics such as age, gender, and disability. They can suffer from stigmatisation and marginalisation which is often linked with the parental cause of death. Due to the vulnerability of orphans, it is critical that any interventions aimed at helping them do not cause any additional harm whatsoever and that these interventions are proactive in reducing any protection risks which they may face.

Orphans in Islam

Care for orphans has a special role in Islam. In fact, the word ‘orphan’ is mentioned more than twenty times in the Holy Qur’an, emphasising the need for kindness to those without fathers or parents. The Orphan Sponsorship Programme (OSP) is one of Islamic Relief’s longest-running and biggest initiatives. Having started in 1986 and now supporting over 63,000 orphans worldwide, the programme aims to provide basic necessities to orphans, improve their health and support their education, amongst other things.

HAD lead on the implementation of this study

HAD’s Research and Development Department lead on the implementation of the study and provide academic quality assurance. The team will also be involved in the data collection on the ground. With its experience in conducting projects in the areas of evaluation/impact, programmes and capacity-building, the Department is particularly well-placed to conduct this project. HAD are one of the co-chairs of the Joint Learning Initative on Faith and Local Communities’ Learning Hub on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning, which is aimed at promoting best practice in MEAL initiatives involving local faith actors. The Academy and its staff have extensive experience of working with local communities in hard-to-reach and conflict-afflicted areas, including those that the study focuses on.

We will be blogging regularly about the project, so do keep an eye for more updates on the HAD blog

Written by Madiha Zeb Sadiq

Research and Development Assistant

March 24, 2020

5 Ways the Global Water Crisis is Affecting Communities Worldwide

Kawkaba Samadzada Blog Islamic Relief

March 24, 2020
5 Ways the Global Water Crisis is Affecting Communities Worldwide

This blog was originally posted on Islamic Relief UK.

Water is the source of all life. It’s a sacred blessing, a gift from Allah (SWT).

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) tells us:

We sent down water from the sky, blessed water whereby We caused to grow gardens, grains for harvest, tall palm-trees with their spathes, piled one above the other – sustenance for (Our) servants… (50:9-11)

SubhanAllah, water nourishes both our planet and maintains our own health. But sadly right now the world is going through a water crisis…

A staggering 785 million people are going thirsty each and every day. Simply because of a lack of clean, safe water.

world water day — Drought in Somalia where 2.7 million people do not have regular access to food and only 52% of people have access to a basic water supply (UNICEF; UN World Food Programme).

However, it doesn’t stop there…

In communities lacking sufficient sanitation systems or supplies of water, things were already tough. And with the increasing impact of climate change, things have gone from bad to worse.

Climate-induced drought means that millions of people across the globe are struggling to survive. But it’s not just a lack of water that causes problems: too much water through flooding can also be damaging.

That’s why, this World Water Day, we’re saying it loudly and clearly: climate change has to stop.

Here are five reasons why…

1. Farmers can’t earn a living

As the planet heats up, communities are facing ever-increasing periods of drought. For those who earn a living from the land growing crops, this presents a huge risk to their livelihoods.

With little or no water for their crops, families cannot earn an income and face immense insecurity.

In Niger for example, over 80% of the population live in rural areas and families are heavily dependent on agriculture.

In fact, 40% of the country’s GDP comes from agriculture. However, with a short rainy season and the increasing effects of climate change resulting in higher temperatures and irregular rainfall, life is becoming increasingly difficult, putting people’s very sustenance at risk.

2. Communities are being displaced

As climate change increases, natural disasters such as floods and tropical storms are becoming more frequent and severe.

Sadly, the people paying the heaviest price are the world’s poorest communities. And this is particularly true for Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In Pakistan and Bangladesh for example, vulnerable communities living in poverty are forced to contend with the effects of floods year after year.

In Bangladesh, only a third of the population have access to safe drinking water. When flooding then hits, local communities face greater insecurity and difficulty in accessing safe water.

Water supplies become flooded with dirty water, heavy rainfall destroys water pipes and salt water from the sea destroys crops.

People are therefore forced to flee their homes. Needing shelter, security and a stable source of food, income and safe water, they are incredibly vulnerable.

3. Girls are denied an education

As with most global crises, women and girls are the most affected by drought and shortages of clean, safe water. How?

Well, the current global gender imbalance means that they are disproportionately burdened with household responsibilities and face greater levels of illiteracy and poverty. For women and girls living in impoverished communities vulnerable to drought and other climate-induced disaster, this makes them even more vulnerable.

In countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya for example, girls often have to travel long distances alone to collect water for their families – kilometres at a time. In fact, women and girls in low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa spend a staggering 40 billion hours a year collecting water.

That’s the same as a year’s work by the entire working population of France.

As girls are (disproportionality) burdened with household chores, they are often unable to go to school and are denied the right to an education.

Not only does this affect their future financial prospects, but it places them at immediate and long-term risk of sexual violence. Sadly, stories abound of women and girls being attacked on their way to collect water from remote sources.

4. Dirty water is creating disease

Without safe, plentiful sources of water for watering crops, washing, cooking and drinking, men, women and children become reliant on any source of water they can find.

This sadly means that many are left to drink dirty, unsanitary water. And dirty water can kill.

In Somalia for example, many families have little choice but to consume unsafe, unsanitary water. This leads to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.

Sadly, across Somalia, more than 900 people have died from cholera in the last three years. The majority of these were children under the age of five.

5. Families are going hungry

Without sufficient supplies of water to grow crops and take care of livestock, food becomes in short supply. Food prices therefore rise and the most vulnerable in society become even more at risk.

As families go hungry, their health suffers. Girls are even forced into marriage as parents become desperate to find a way to ensure their children can eat.

In conflict-fuelled countries such as Yemen, things are particularly challenging.

This is because the combination of conflict and climate change, presents a greater risk of famine and water shortages for communities already in crisis.

In fact, right now, almost 18 million people across Yemen are in need of water and sanitation facilities. For these communities, the effects of climate change spell even greater disaster.

It’s clear to see that the global water crisis – fuelled further by climate change – is devastating lives across the globe.

That’s why we need to act now.

Here’s how you can help:

Adjust your own habits – consume less water at home (waste less!) and adopt more climate-friendly habits such as reducing your intake of meat, switching to plastic-free alternatives (such as re-usable bottles) and recycling your waste
Lobby your MP to take action – call on your MP to keep climate change on the agenda by completing our quick and easy form
Donate to provide water for life – support communities in urgent need today by helping to provide boreholes, water purification tablets and hygiene training
Raise awareness – share this blog on social media and talk to your friends and family about this important issue

Water is a right. It’s everyone’s right.

So, let’s work together to ensure that everyone has access to safe, clean water for life.

Written by Maria Zafar

Campaigns and Community Mobilisation Coordinator at Islamic Relief UK

March 24, 2020

Islamic Relief UK Launches Emergency Coronavirus Appeal and Gives £500,000 To Support the Country’s Most Vulnerable People

Kawkaba Samadzada News HAD News, Islamic Relief

March 24, 2020
Islamic Relief UK Launches Emergency Coronavirus Appeal and Gives £500,000 To Support the Country’s Most Vulnerable People

HADs partner Islamic Relief UK has launched an emergency appeal to support the country’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak through local charity partners. It is also immediately making £500,000 available to support these organisations.

The first partner charity that will benefit from the appeal is Sufra, a foodbank and community hub in the London borough of Brent and an existing local partner for Islamic Relief UK.

Islamic Relief UK is in discussion with a range of other partner organisations across the country. The aid charity is carrying out critical needs assessments, ensuring that the most vulnerable people remain its priority.

Islamic Relief UK is also supporting the Muslim Council of Britain’s recommendation to follow government advice on social distancing – which includes avoiding going to the mosque to prevent the spread of the virus.

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK, said:

“As a faith-inspired development and humanitarian agency, Islamic Relief works to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. We also support vulnerable people here in the UK.

“The COVID19 outbreak is a global pandemic and this country is at high risk. Latest figures show 167 people have now died from the virus in the UK alone. More than 3,200 people have now tested positive for the coronavirus, but without access to tests for most people, the government has said that as many as 55,000 people could be infected.*

“As well as directly impacting people’s health, this outbreak is set to cause an economic fallout that this country hasn’t seen in decades, and it is the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities who will bear the brunt of it.

“As humanitarians inspired by our faith we are determined to help out. We are carrying out needs assessments and scoping out local partners in the UK to support. I am delighted that we are supporting Sufra, the food bank and community hub in Brent, Northwest London which provides meals to more than 100,000 families in need every year.

“May God protect all from this virus, may He bless those that are ill with a speedy and full recovery and may He protect those that are suffering hardship as a result of this pandemic, Ameen.”

Rajesh Makwana, Director of Sufra, said:

“The families we help can’t afford to hoard food; they’re knocking on our door in search of basic supplies. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – the UK is on the brink of a major recession, which means fewer donations alongside an acute rise in demand for emergency food aid.

“This is a toxic environment for an independent food bank like Sufra but we are extremely grateful for funding support from Islamic Relief UK. As an organisation working on the frontline, we are determined to continue supporting the most vulnerable for the duration of this crisis – we will do whatever it takes.”

Notes to editors

You can donate to Islamic Relief UK’s coronavirus appeal here.

Food Parcel contents and costs

£10 = 1 Person emergency food parcel contains: Rice cereal, tinned beans, lentils, long-life milk, pasta, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, tinned fish, toiletries

£25 = 2 Person food parcel which contains: Bag of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice cereal, tinned beans, lentils, long-life milk, pasta, tinned fruit, toiletries

£50 = Family of four food parcel and contains: Bag of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice cereal, tinned beans, tinned vegetables, tinned fish, lentils, long-life milk, pasta, tinned fruit, toiletries, nappies, baby milk (if required)

About Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.

October 18, 2019

New videogame launched to combat Islamophobia and show how Islam inspires life changing charity work

Kawkaba Samadzada News Islamic Relief, Sector News

October 18, 2019
New videogame launched to combat Islamophobia and show how Islam inspires life changing charity work

HADs partner Islamic Relief UK has launched a videogame in partnership with Ultimatum Games, with the aim of teaching young people how international aid works and to tackle negative perceptions of Muslims.

The game, ‘Virtue Reality’, is based on real international development projects run by Islamic Relief in more than 40 countries across the world, from Pakistan to Mali.

Virtue Reality launched on Thursday 17 October at the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield, where school students from Sheffield’s Silverdale School and Manchester Islamic Grammer School for girls were some of the first to try out the game. It is now available to download for free on Apple and Google devices.

Islamic Relief UK launched the game ahead of Charity Week, a fundraising campaign among Muslim students in the UK, which starts on Monday 21 October.

Virtue Reality comes from a recognition that Muslims are often presented in a negative light in films, TV programmes and videogames – usually as ‘the bad guys’. It also addresses a gap in the knowledge of the general public with regards to how foreign aid works.

The game is an ‘Idle Clicker’ game. The gamer is invited to build projects such as shelters, boreholes and schools. As they click, the gamer accumulates enough ‘DeedCoins’ – the game’s currency – to build the first phase of a project. These DeedCoins reflect the good deeds that Muslims are expected to carry out as part of their faith.

Throughout the game, the user will receive feedback on how the project is going. From time to time, they will receive ‘donations’ randomly, in the form of DeedCoins from Islamic Relief’s funders, such as the Department for International Development (DFID) or Charity Week. They will also be directed to charity videos, so that gamers can make donations – or to the shop, so that gamers can make in-app purchases. The income from these will support the charitable work of Islamic Relief.

Judith Escribano, Head of Communications at Islamic Relief UK, said: ‘We see Virtue Reality as a solution to two challenges presented by society: scepticism of aid and increasing Islamophobia. We are living in a political climate that is hostile to both aid and Muslims.

‘There is increased scepticism towards the charity sector, and often people do not understand that the work undertaken by organisations like Islamic Relief involves working with local people in poor countries to help lift themselves out of poverty. This game will teach both children and adults about the process of delivering aid and how the money donated is used. It will also show Muslims doing good deeds.’

Shahid Kamal Ahmad, Managing Director at Ultimatum Games, said: ‘Having worked in the video games industry for 37 years, I can’t help but notice that, as with the media and pop culture, Muslims are generally presented in a negative light in videogames.

‘Often, when you see characters from the Islamic faith in videogames they are ‘other’ed’ as terrorists or villains you have to kill, usually dark-skinned characters shouting Allahu Akbar and carrying weapons. I haven’t seen people from my community portrayed in any other way in videogames. It is as though there is no other way for a Muslim to be: you never see any peaceful, ordinary Muslims just going about their lives.

‘The Qu’ran said that to save a life it is as though you have saved all of mankind, and Muslims take inspiration from this. Muslims give more to charity than any other religious group in the UK. In showing Muslim aid workers supporting some of the world’s poorest people to lift themselves out of poverty, Virtue Reality portrays the generosity and humanity of the Muslim faith; we hope it will inspire other videogames to follow suit.’

Zia Salik, Head of Fundraising at Islamic Relief UK, said: ‘The Fundraising and Charity Week teams at Islamic Relief are really excited about the launch of the mobile gaming app. We think it will be a great new way to engage the youth, especially the volunteer teams across the world that take part in Charity Week every year.

‘It’s another way to learn how our projects work, and also help raise funds for future projects. This is going to be something that we can build on and we hope that it will be a great asset to the organisation for years to come.’

The videogame is also being launched in the US and Canada by Islamic Relief partners. It will be promoted by Islamic Relief offices from Australia to Mauritius and Germany to Pakistan.

About Islamic Relief

About Ultimatum Games

Ultimatum Games Ltd is a video games development company, run by Shahid Kamal Ahmad. Ahmad is the former Director of Strategic Content at PlayStation; was one of Games Industry International’s Top 10 Persons of the Year; and has been named within the 100 Top Influencers in the British Games Industry.

In 2019, Ahmad joined hands with the international development agency Islamic Relief to find a unique and interesting way to raise awareness about what a charity does and also dispel negative stereotypes of Muslims that he saw across the industry.

About Charity Week

Charity Week is one of the world’s largest volunteer-led Charity campaigns. It started in London in 2003 with one student collecting funds in a shoebox; it has now grown to be an international annual fundraising and engagement event taking place across the globe. With more than £8 million raised in the last 15 years, Charity Week is fast becoming one of Islamic Relief’s most exciting campaigns, with over 5,000 students participating directly in the campaign. Funds raised have assisted orphans and vulnerable children in 27 countries worldwide.

Check back for more updates or subscribe to our mailing list

References:

Islamic Relief UK

Ultimatum Games

July 10, 2019

‘Resilience’ and Conflict and Disaster Risk: Using Beirut as a Case Study

E Library Conflict, Disaster, Islamic Relief, Lebanon, Resilience

‘Resilience’ and Conflict and Disaster Risk: Using Beirut as a Case Study

by Nadeem Ahmed

TYPE

Research Report

OFFICE

Islamic Relief Worldwide

LANGUAGE

English

YEAR

2018

KEYWORDS

Conflict, Disaster, Islamic Relief, Lebanon, Resilience

Executive Summary It is now widely recognised that disasters are not exogenous extreme events which cause catastrophe but the structural failure of political, economic and social systems. It has been all too easy to demonise hazards as the cause of vulnerability, but hazards only become catastrophic disasters when people in power fail. Thus, international bodies such as UNISDR have sought to create treaties that encourage governments to mobilise against these threats, such as HFA and its upcoming incarnation HFA2. However, responses have been sluggish, with only half of the governments which agreed to implement the recommendations returning progress updates. Progress has been made however with the concept of 'resilience' gaining traction and commentators calling for more 'radical action' to be taken against vulnerability creation, particularly with regards to its more progressive approaches. Using a social constructivist approach to programmes I will investigate these progressive approaches of 'resilience' which have been applied to contexts of both conflict and disaster. Using Beirut as a case study I discover that it is people, power and politics that indeed pose more of a threat to vulnerability than the hazards the country holds.

Resilience-Beirut-Case-Study-Nadeem.pdf

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ACC Project

Action On Climate Change and Consumption (ACC Project)

July 10, 2019