Tag: Emergency

After one year of escalating conflict, Sudan has descended into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. It is on the verge of mass famine. Its food supply is decimated and young children are now starving to death in its cities, villages, and displacement camps.

Sudan is at imminent risk of collapsing. Yet, the world has largely forgotten or ignored the crisis.

A country in desperate need of aid

During the ministerial conference on Sudan held in Paris on 15 April – co-hosted by the EU, France and Germany – Islamic Relief called on world leaders to take action. To step up efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire, pressure parties to the conflict to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access and increase aid to prevent a catastrophic famine. As, a quarter of the way through the year, the 2024 humanitarian response plan for Sudan is only 5% funded.

Over the past year, the war has spread across the country, creating what is now the world’s largest displacement crisis. 8.4 million people – 2 million of them children under 5 years old – have been forced to flee their homes.

Children are now dying of hunger. Islamic Relief staff on the ground report a rapid increase in the number of malnourished children in the health and nutrition centres it supports. This includes some children so emaciated they can barely breathe. Many families also only eat a few mouthfuls of sorghum a day.

In recent months the fighting has spread to many of Sudan’s main agricultural regions, devastating food production. Many farmers find it too dangerous to access their fields to plant or harvest crops. When they do harvest them, trucks carrying food to markets are regularly looted.

Around 30,000 more people a day are falling into crisis levels of food insecurity. Overall, 17.7 million people (almost 40% of the population) now face hunger. Among them, 5 million are just a step away from famine. In parts of Khartoum and Darfur, famine conditions will likely awithin weeks.

The economy is collapsing at a staggering rate. Poverty is rising and food prices are almost doubling – leaving most families unable to afford even basic staple food.

Increasing Violence in Sudan

Islamic Relief teams in Sudan report an increase in extreme violence and threats to civilians over the past year. Villages burned to the ground. Women attacked. Children recruited into armed groups. Hospitals and markets bombed and looted. Key infrastructure and services destroyed.

Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Sudan, says: “Over the past year I’ve seen my country descend into violence, madness and destruction, neglected by the rest of the world.

“Everyone has lost everything. Everyone is traumatised. That’s how it feels to be Sudanese at this moment. We have lost loved ones, property, jobs, and the futures that we planned. Even the rich have become poor. Unless there’s a ceasefire and peace very soon, the country may collapse.

Over the past year, Islamic Relief has had to move its main office in Sudan several times due to the increasing spread of violence. Sudan is now one of the most dangerous and difficult places to deliver humanitarian aid, with dozens of aid workers killed, offices regularly looted and regular bureaucratic obstruction.

Islamic Relief on the Ground in Sudan

Despite the challenges, Islamic Relief has delivered vital aid to more than 600,000 people all over the country, including distributing food and cash, supporting health facilities and providing hygiene and dignity kits. 

With the crisis neglected internationally, Islamic Relief’s new report highlights how Sudanese communities are playing a leading role in the response – with community kitchens providing food and impoverished families taking displaced families into their own homes and sharing what little they have. It calls on international donors at the Paris conference and beyond to increase funding and technical assistance for grassroots community networks, particularly women-led groups and civic committees.

Islamic Relief’s report calls on warring parties to commit to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, kickstart dialogue for a sustainable resolution to the conflict, and adhere to commitments they have made to protect civilians and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need.

It calls on the international community to step up aid, especially to improve food security and support livelihoods, and to play a greater diplomatic role and reinvigorate efforts to reach a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access.

The conflict in Sudan, which has raged on for almost a year now, is pushing the country to breaking point. The ongoing hostilities have ripped the country apart. Now, huge swathes of the population are dangerously close to famine, with millions of lives at risk.  

This month, the United Nations stated that the country is “on course to become the world’s worst hunger crisis.”  

Across Sudan, 17.7 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity. 5 million people are just one step away from famine and more than 3.4 million children suffering from malnutrition.  

A Country on the Brink 

Approximately 8 million people across Sudan have been displaced since the crisis began in April. Many reside in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps. But 2 million people have left the country, seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. 

The conflict has spread across the country, resulting in thousands of deaths.  

Almost 15,000 people have been killed so far. However, the real death toll is thought to be far higher as some areas remain extremely challenging to access.  

Looting has become common, while increasingly violent conflict has led to the widespread destruction of critical infrastructure. The health sector has all but collapsed. More than 70% of healthcare facilities in Sudan have shut down since the fighting began.   

All the while, the economy crumbles. Prices of essential items have skyrocketed by 83%, meaning essential foods and commodities remain out of reach for many.  

A Lifeline During the Sudan Crisis 

Islamic Relief has provided aid to more than 600,000 people since the crisis began, and we will continue to distribute food and cash assistance where we are able to reach civilians.  

As the crisis reaches a critical juncture, Islamic Relief continues to join the United Nations and other groups in calling for an end to hostilities before more lives are ruined, and a generation is wiped out.  

The people of Sudan urgently need more international attention and support. There must be renewed efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated political settlement. Civilians must be protected. As famine looms, more must be done to help those most at risk.  

We will continue to provide life-saving aid to the people of Sudan and your donations can help us to make a huge difference.

As Yemen marks 9 years of war, one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises has only worsened. Malnutrition, especially, is spiralling in the country. A critical issue not helped by the recent cuts to humanitarian aid, affecting millions of lives.

Islamic Relief is on the ground, working in 159 nutrition centres across Yemen. Over the past few months, our teams observed a surge in malnourished children. The price of essential food in the market is also rapidly rising, leaving many families unable to afford it.

The Impact of Aid Cuts

Since December, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has paused its general food distributions in northern Yemen, which has been a lifeline for 9.5 million people. In addition, the WFP malnutrition prevention programme is facing a significant shortage of supplies which is affecting critical services.

In January 2024, more than half of UN-surveyed households in Yemen were unable to access adequate food. This represented an increase of 11% from November 2023.

After 9 years of war, malnutrition rates in Yemen are some of the highest ever recorded and are expected to worsen. 17.6 million people in the country are facing food insecurity. Nearly half of all its children are currently estimated to be experiencing moderate to severe stunting. Almost 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. Around 2.7 million women and 5 million children under 5 years old are estimated to require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2024.

Ammar Al-Dumini, Senior media and communications officer with Islamic Relief in Yemen, said:

“The impact of aid cuts to Yemen over the last few months are now clearly being felt and we see this impact in the appalling levels of hunger and malnutrition. These are some of the highest levels the country has ever seen. After 9 years of civil war, the economy is in crisis and inflation is out of control. People have lost their livelihoods and can’t afford to buy enough food. Yemen is one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world but it has been largely forgotten.”

“Aid has been vital in preventing Yemen falling into famine in recent years, and it saved countless lives. But if the international community continues to overlook the humanitarian situation in Yemen then we will see conditions badly deteriorate again.”

Islamic Relief on the ground in Yemen

Islamic Relief, which works in 14 out of 22 governates across the country. We urgently appeal to the international community to ensure the humanitarian response in Yemen is appropriately funded.

In addition to providing food, cash, vocational training, and income support, Islamic Relief is on the ground ensuring that vulnerable Yemenis have access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits. We also work in 159 health and nutrition centres across the country, supporting 77,719 children under five and 91,879 pregnant and lactating women who are admitted for treatment to regain a healthy weight.

Najah Almugahed, Gender Protection and Inclusion Advisor at Islamic Relief Worldwide examines how the needs vs rights debate applies to women in humanitarian crises, calling for more aid to cover women’s basic needs.

“After nearly a decade of residing away from home, I managed to go back for a visit last year.

“Home is Yemen, which is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Despite the joy of reuniting with family and friends, witnessing the devastation of basic services, extreme poverty and higher rates of inequality left its mark on my heart.

“The reality painted a grim picture of a population teetering on the brink of famine, with two-thirds in dire need of humanitarian assistance and protection services, according to UNHCR.

“In addition to these challenges, I observed a subtle shift in gender roles. Women in Yemen are increasingly taking on ‘productive’ roles – engaging in income-generating activities and breaking into traditionally male-dominated jobs such as waitressing or retail.

“However, this shift in Yemen and elsewhere is often sparked by necessity, rather than a genuine commitment to equal rights and opportunities. Even with expanded responsibilities, women continue to shoulder the traditional roles of homemaking and caregiving without a corresponding reduction in expectations.”

Women in humanitarian crises

“Wars, conflicts, and natural disasters affect everyone in society, but they also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, impacting women and girls differently.

“Women are compelled to fill in for their absent male providers, often without any additional support or protective systems and policies. This exposure might increase their risks of gender-based and sexual exploitation and abuse.

“We’re seeing horrific figures emerge from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, showing that women and girls are being targeted with sexual violence and rape.

“The UN Human Rights Office in Sudan has received reports of 21 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls. The actual number is thought to be much higher as parts of the country remain challenging to access, and there is a lot of social stigma associated with reporting sexual violence.

“In Syria and Yemen, we’ve seen the number of early marriages, also known as child marriages, increase during conflict. Rates are 4 times higher in Syria now than before the crisis began. In Yemen, rates have increased from 32% to 52% in recent years, as dowries have increased and poor families use early marriages as a coping mechanism to survive, using dowries to feed other family members.

“In Gaza, more than 30,000 people have been killed since October, and 70% of them are women and children. Nearly 2 million people, including 1 million women and girls, are currently displaced. Pregnant and lactating women are at a particular risk of malnutrition for them and their babies with limited to no access to health care.

“Islamic Relief staff in Gaza report pregnant women enduring C-sections without anaesthetic or painkillers, newborn infants starving to death, and a shortage of menstrual hygiene materials leading to women and girls developing infections as they resort to using any scraps of cloth or torn clothing they can find.

A ‘gendered’ humanitarian response

“As humanitarian organisations like Islamic Relief are expected to respond to the many ongoing crises around the world, the sector must consider a ‘gendered’ response. This means delivering aid programmes in an equitable form, prioritising the ones who are most in need.

“We must identify and respond to the distinct needs of people experiencing crises through direct and meaningful participation in designing and implementing projects, focusing on the most vulnerable groups.

“It is the first step to providing access to essential services for women and children, including pregnant and lactating women, older women, and women and girls with disabilities. This short-term response aligns with the long-term goal of achieving gender equality and fulfilling human potential.

“Islamic Relief prioritises women and girls in our humanitarian response. We specifically focus on supporting families headed by women through initiatives such as orphan-sponsorship programmes, or unconditional cash, and livelihoods opportunities for women.

“Using a protective and inclusive framework ensures that women and girls’ needs are central to Islamic Relief’s response, where we explore all the potential risks and barriers to accessing services and ensure the most vulnerable groups have access to programmes.

“It is exemplified by initiatives such as mobile clinic services in northwest Syria that allows pregnant and lactating women and others to benefit from health services without additional costs.”

Needs vs rights debate

“There exists a nuanced debate between individuals’ needs and rights, particularly in a humanitarian context. It centres on whether addressing basic needs should precede ensuring fundamental rights.

“While there is consensus that immediate needs must be urgently met, the debate arises when initial emergency responses move into phases that include development work, in which both basic needs and fundamental rights are crucial.

“Gender equality and empowering women and girls to fulfil their human potential is both a fundamental right and a necessity in order for societies to prosper.

“Within humanitarian programming, there is a spectrum for a ‘gendered’ response, starting with providing access to basic services and progressing into advocating for transformative gender equality rights.

“While considering the rights of women and girls, it is also essential to acknowledge that, for many in humanitarian crises, conversations about gender equality might seem like a luxury. Honing into providing access to basic needs for women and girls is more relatable to their lived realities.

“Humanitarian projects should have long-term impact and address gender inequality; however, women and girls need to have their food, water, hygiene, health and education needs covered first. It is their social right, as well as need, I don’t find the 2 terms to be mutually exclusive but rather a matter of choosing an acceptable language to achieve the overall aim.

International Women’s Day and Women’s Needs and Rights

“The theme of International Women’s Day 2024 was ‘Inspire Inclusion’. It underscores the value of including women in all aspects of life, emphasising an inclusive workforce, economy, and decision-making processes.

“This idea also applies to humanitarian work. It is vital to recognise women in humanitarian crises.

Estimates show that 4.5% of the world’s population needs humanitarian assistance and at least half of this number are women and girls. While advocating for gender rights is essential, prioritising the fulfilment of basic needs is fundamental.

“On International Women’s Day and beyond, let us acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by women in humanitarian crises. While the goal is to see women included in various industries and decision-making roles, with reduced caregiving burdens and a genuine belief in their equal rights, the pressing reality calls for addressing their immediate needs first.

“Only by securing a foundation of basic living conditions can we pave the way for meaningful discussions on gender rights and equality.

“The ongoing debate on needs vs rights will persist as the gap in fulfilling needs expands. I look forward to the day when we can celebrate women’s rights and potential on International Women’s Day, rather than still needing to strive for basic and immediate needs.

“I look forward to a time when more women are doing ‘productive’ jobs because they have the right to choose to do so, not because circumstances force them to.

“Islamic Relief supports women and girls around the world to pursue an education, access healthcare and build sustainable incomes. We also work to address harmful cultural practices that contribute to inequality. Please help us to continue this vital work.“

In Gaza, the already dire humanitarian situation worsens, as already struggling civilians once more face the horror of major airstrikes.

The nightmare began on early Saturday morning, 7th October 2023, when major airstrikes commenced, sending shockwaves across Gaza.

Since the wake of the bombing, the number of dead and critically injured has been rising across the region, marking an unprecedented escalation of violence and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians in Need of Support

Islamic Relief staff in Gaza have described the situation as being unlike anything they’ve ever seen.

The latest death toll, as of October 10th 2023, stands at 500 Palestinians and over 8,000 injured. But the number is expected to be more, as airstrikes have targeted residential blocks without any prior notice of strikes.

Hostilities have also led to internal displacement.  More than 17,500 families, comprising over 123,538 people, have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns and the destruction of their homes.

Out of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), a report from the United Nations estimates that 73,538 people are sheltering in 64 schools, some of which are designated emergency shelters.

Gaza Targeted by Occupying State

Israeli airstrikes and shelling have targeted houses and apartment buildings in Gaza.

In some cases, residential buildings were reportedly struck without warning for residents to evacuate. Notably, four large residential towers with multiple floors of residential units (Palestine, Al-Hashim, Wattan, and Al Aklouk) in Gaza City were completely destroyed. 

According to the Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 159 housing units have been destroyed, while 1,210 have suffered severe damage.

Civilians Also Deprived of Health Support

6 healthcare workers were killed and four injured by Israeli airstrikes that also damaged seven healthcare facilities and nine ambulances. 

Israeli airstrikes have also caused damage to WASH-related facilities, undermining the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to over 400,000 people.

In Gaza, more than 90% of available water was unsafe to drink before this most recent escalation and food supplies were not enough for most families. Without support from WASH-related services, much of the population will struggle to access the clean water needed to survive.

Gaza also suffers from a chronic lack of electricity supply, which has a knock-on effect on health, water and sanitation services’ ability to operate. Gaza’s current electricity generation is less than 60 MW. This falls significantly short of the necessary power to sustain WASH services across the entire Gaza Strip.

A desperate situation made worse

On Monday, October 9th 2023, Israel announced a ‘total’ blockade of Gaza, including a ban on food and fuel, and the water supply to Gaza was cut. The impacts of this are likely to make the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza even worse.

Decades of occupation, blockade, and recurring conflict have created a humanitarian nightmare in Gaza. Most people do not have enough food, 90% of available water is unfit for public consumption and trauma is taking its toll on ordinary families.

Gaza’s healthcare system is also particularly fragile, with overstretched and poorly-equipped health facilities struggling to meet rising needs.

Much of the population relies on humanitarian aid from charities like Islamic Relief just to survive and this number may well rise as internal displacement spikes due to the ongoing hostilities.

Islamic Relief Provides Ongoing Support for Gaza

Islamic Relief remains steadfast in our determination to assist Palestinian families. Working closely with our local partners, we are preparing our humanitarian response, which is likely to initially focus on distributing medical supplies and urgently needed essentials.

With your support, Islamic Relief will remain a lifeline for Palestinian families. Help support our brothers and sisters in Gaza during their time of need.

Derna, a port city in eastern Libya, has faced the worst of the recent floods, leaving its residents in a state of despair. A quarter of the city was wiped out, thousands of people were killed and at least 10,000 have gone missing since the wake of the disaster. 

Amidst the chaos, Islamic Relief emerged as one of the first relief organisations to reach the devastated city, providing crucial support and aid to those affected by the floods.

Risking Lives for the Sake of Humanity

With dedication and unwavering commitment, our team members embarked on a challenging journey to Derna to deliver aid to those in need. 

Risking their own lives to reach the flood-affected areas, the journey took two arduous days, traversing rugged terrain. Despite treacherous roads and countless hurdles, our dedicated team pressed forward, determined to provide hope to those most in need. 

Aiding the Affected: What Islamic Relief Provided

Seeing the faces of dishearted families light up upon the arrival of emergency support served as a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission.

The situation in Derna was heart-wrenching, but being able to provide them with support made a significant impact. 

Working with local relief organisations to ensure that aid was delivered effectively and efficiently, altogether, we provided hot meals, blankets, food packs and mattresses to approximately 900 families. 

A Call for Continued Support

While help is ongoing, the need in Derna remains substantial. The devastation left by the floods in Libya is profound, and communities, in this city and other hard-hit regions, are in mourning. 

Help provide the people of Libya with relief from the harsh aftermath of the floods. Give today and save lives. 

In the Horn of Africa, across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, 43 million people are currently in need of emergency assistance due to climate-induced disasters.

As these natural disasters continue to worsen and wreak havoc on vulnerable communities, we all have a responsibility to come together and take action against climate change for the sake of a better world for all.

The Horn of Africa and the climate breakdown

As one of the world’s most impoverished regions, the Horn of Africa is home to millions of people facing chronic food and water insecurity, malnutrition and limited access to basic services including infrastructure, health care, education and social welfare. However, the recent ongoing drought has made these underlying conditions even worse.

Since the wake of the crisis, more than 2.7 million people have been displaced across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and more than 13 million livestock have died – destroying not only livelihoods but an entire way of life. 32 million people are also acutely food insecure and at risk of famine.

While there have been rains that have brought some relief to many areas, they also bring new threats. These include unexpected floods, more displacement and increased risks of disease, livestock loss and crop damage.

What’s worse is that scientific evidence has found that the severity of the situation has largely been driven by human activities, including our overreliance on fossil fuels, particularly in wealthier nations.

Our role in the climate crisis

Recently, a study reported that the increase in natural disasters such as the Horn of Africa drought has been primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases, produced by fossil fuels, into the atmosphere. This has also made events like the current drought much stronger and more likely.

As such, the time has come for us to acknowledge our role in climate breakdown and take decisive action.

We must hold polluters accountable for the damage they have caused. We must call out coal, oil and gas corporations and urge them to provide reparations for the losses and damages inflicted by climate change and to support local rehabilitation, remediation and transition efforts.

We cannot allow these corporations to dictate the rules of climate action, exert undue influence over climate talks, or undermine the global response to climate change.

Islamic Relief and our support for climate action

In the face of the terrible drought in East Africa, Islamic Relief has been working tirelessly to support people who lack basic necessities like food and water. But our commitment extends beyond immediate humanitarian efforts, crucial as these are.

To address this crisis, we are calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies and a swift, fair and equitable transition away from existing infrastructure. We urge international cooperation to significantly increase financial and technological support to ensure widespread access to renewable energy.

It is crucial that we do not fall for false solutions such as offsets, carbon capture and storage, or geoengineering, which only distract us from the real issues at hand.

By transitioning away from fossil fuels, supporting renewable energy, and holding polluting corporations accountable, we can pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Join Islamic Relief in our work to assist communities already suffering due to climate change. With your support, we can continue to provide lifesaving aid, help communities become more resilient, and campaign for crucial action to tackle the causes and end greenhouse gas emissions.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating Pakistan floods, we reflect on the catastrophic and ongoing impact this natural disaster has had on the lives of thousands of families and communities.

The memories of destruction, displacement and loss are still fresh, as we continue ongoing efforts in Pakistan to rebuild and restore hope in the lives of those who were most deeply affected by the calamity.

Comparing this year’s floods

The first of this year’s monsoon rains arrived in Pakistan earlier in July, bringing with them further destruction and devastation to the nation’s population.
Eighty-six people were killed and 151 more injured in the 4-9 July rains, according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Ninety-six houses sustained damage and 46 livestock died.

Lahore, in particular, experienced extremely heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in the city, while flood warnings were also issued to communities living near the Sutlaj, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers.

Upon the second spell of monsoon rains, the Chenab River flooded, causing extensive damage to the 50 villages nearby, with crops destroyed and communities cut off.

The Government of Pakistan has carried out evacuations and rescue operations and established flood relief camps in affected areas.

As the effects of the disaster continue, especially in flood-affected areas, Islamic Relief is working closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to assess developments as the monsoon season continues.

Remembering the historic floods

The arrival of the monsoon rains comes as Pakistan marks its 1st anniversary of the historic flooding event.

The 2022 floods were the worst in living memory, submerging one-third of the country and affecting more than 33 million people. The hardest hit were the areas of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, as ten of thousands of families struggled to access emergency relief and shelter as major roads and bridges were cut off and destroyed in the disaster.

By the end of the monsoon season, across the country, more than 1,700 people lost their lives and over 890,000 homes were destroyed, with a further 1.4 million sustaining damage.

Our ongoing response in Pakistan

From the very early stages of Islamic Relief’s response, it was clear that targeted long-term support would be needed to help lives and livelihoods in Pakistan.

Since the wake of the crisis, we’ve reached tens of thousands of people with aid, distributing almost 7,000 tents and 20,000 hygiene kits. We’ve also provided over 20,000L of clean drinking water, as well as delivered food packs to 25,000 families.

Our teams are also focused on helping communities recover from the disaster as quickly as possible, ensuring that vulnerable people do not continue to suffer the terrifying impact of the flash floods this year and in the future to come.

None of this would have been possible without the compassion and generosity of supporters like you, who allowed our teams to be on the ground during the wake of the disaster, restoring hope and joy to the lives of our brothers and sisters who needed it the most.

A year on from the disaster, please keep flood-affected people in Pakistan in your thoughts. Help us to support them in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods by connecting your giving with Islamic Relief.

Three years have passed since the devastating Beirut explosion, a tragedy that left a deeper scar on the already struggling population of Lebanon.

As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Beirut Blast and the ongoing economic crisis, we reflect on this disaster and work towards supporting the people of Lebanon in their recovery and helping bring back hope into their lives.

Looking back on the tragedy

4 August 2020 was a normal day in Lebanon, until it wasn’t. Around 6pm, as many in Beirut returned home from work and began preparing evening meals, a plume of smoke rose up from the city’s port.

White flashes – later identified as fireworks – could be seen going off near the base of the plume, but onlookers had hardly any time to try and figure out what was happening.

Less than 40 seconds after the plume appeared, a massive explosion ripped through the city, levelling buildings, overturning cars and smashing windows.

The blast was so huge it was felt in neighbouring countries and heard as far away as Cyprus. News outlets beamed eyewitness footage of the explosion into the homes of shocked viewers around the world.

It was immediately obvious that the scale of the damage would be as enormous as the blast itself.

Crisis on top of crises

At least 218 people were killed and around 7,000 were injured. Damage to properties was estimated to be as high as $15 billion.

As people worldwide were being urged to stay indoors to limit the spread of coronavirus, some 300,000 in Beirut suddenly found themselves homeless.

Addressing damage on this scale would be an immense challenge for any small country, but the blast came as Lebanon was already grappling with near-total economic collapse and long-standing political instability. The latter was only set to worsen in the weeks that followed.

No end in sight to the devastation

It’s been 3 years since the explosion on 4 August 2020, which we now know was caused by the improper storage of highly flammable materials.

While the pandemic has ended, Lebanon’s other crises have maintained their tight grip on the country, reversing some development gains and further straining services already stretched beyond their limits.

Since the explosion, a fuel crisis in the summer of 2021, a cholera outbreak and economic fallout from the war in Ukraine have added to the woes of the Lebanese people – as well as the more than 1 million refugees based in the country.

The currency has lost more than 95 per cent of its value since 2019, and food prices shot up by more than 480 per cent between January 2021 and 2022. The cost of electricity, water and gas have similarly skyrocketed.

Amid these high costs, schools, hospitals and other essential services have been left struggling to operate or forced to close entirely.

The United Nations estimates that 3.1 million people – in a nation of 5.5 million – will likely require food assistance in 2023.

Our unwavering support in Lebanon

Islamic Relief has been supporting Lebanese nationals and refugees in the country since 2006, and we continue to stand with those in desperate need of assistance.

In the immediate aftermath of the blast, provided shelter, food and water to those affected. We also assisted with clearing the streets of wreckage, which directly benefitted more than 10,000 people.

We supplied 12 health facilities with fuel, medication, supplies and equipment so that they could continue to treat the injured.

Recognising the increased vulnerability of at-risk individuals, we also trained 20 religious and ethnic leaders on the risks of gender-based violence and the importance of child protection.

As time went by, we adapted our response and began repairing and restoring damaged houses, allowing families to return home. Our emergency response following the blast helped ease the burden of more than 100,000 affected people.

Help return hope to the lives of people in Lebanon

In the 3 years since the explosion, Islamic Relief has provided support to more than 500,000 vulnerable people in Lebanon.

And our work continues. We are currently supporting the repair of water networks and clean energy solutions including solar-powered systems, as well as continuing to supply healthcare facilities with essential materials.

Our seasonal Ramadan and Qurbani programmes ease the burden on families at these special times of the year, while the blankets, food and fuel we provide during winter are a lifeline to refugees and others in the cold months.

Lebanon’s perceived status as a rich country in a region plagued by crises, as well as the complex nature of its prolonged economic and political turmoil, can mean the humanitarian situation is often overlooked.

But people in Lebanon desperately require sustained and significant support to make ends meet.

By giving with Islamic Relief, your kindness could continue providing a lifeline for those in need in Lebanon and around the world.

Sudan is currently grappling with an escalating crisis as the country becomes engulfed in heavy fighting. A power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has unleashed violence and chaos, causing immense suffering for the people.

As the conflict intensifies, the need for humanitarian assistance becomes more crucial than ever. In this critical time, Islamic Relief has taken swift action, standing in solidarity with the people of Sudan and mobilising crucial aid to alleviate their suffering.

An Outbreak of Violence

On Saturday, April 15, Sudan was plugged into a state of turmoil. Heavy fighting erupted between the country’s two largest armed groups, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both vying for power.

Tension had been building between the armed groups for weeks. The calm in Sudan was eventually shattered by the sounds of armed weapons echoing through the streets of the capital, Khartoum.

In their own homes, residents stood frozen, uncertain of when the fighting would subside. Fighter planes dominated the skies, as the military launched air attacks to target RSF forces hidden in residential neighbourhoods.

Civilians in Sudan Struggle to Find Refuge

As the conflict in Sudan escalated, the world turned its attention to the unfolding crisis. The violence spread beyond Khartoum, reaching other cities like Merowe, an important economic centre, known for its gold mines and military airport. The Wadi Halfa border crossing with Egypt, crucial for trade and travel, was also affected.

The chaos and peril generated by the situation prompted the international community to take action, making preparations to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. Meanwhile, the Sudanese people themselves desperately sought means to escape the escalating violence.

The closure of Khartoum airport, a direct result of the intense fighting, further hindered the escape efforts of the affected population. Families were left with no choice but to embark on difficult journeys, enduring hardships and paying expensive fees, in order to reach safer locations such as Port Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Chad.

Unfortunately, not everyone had the opportunity to flee. Many Sudanese people remain trapped in deteriorating humanitarian conditions. The shortage of essential supplies, coupled with the unrelenting threat of bombardment, further compounded their already dire situation.

The People of Sudan are in desperate need of aid

Despite mediation attempts from international organisations, the reports from civilians on the ground indicate that the violence shows little sign of easing.

The situation is compounded by the shortage of food and medical supplies, placing vulnerable populations at risk of hunger and inadequate healthcare. As of April 20, a report by the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) revealed that 39 out of 59 hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring provinces are currently non-operational, posing significant challenges to accessing vital medical assistance.

As the death toll and the number of injured and displaced continues to rise, the protection of innocent lives and the alleviation of human suffering have become urgent priorities in Sudan. Together, our international community stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan to grant them hope for a more stable and peaceful future.

Islamic Relief is providing urgent emergency assistance in Sudan

In the face of this dire situation, Islamic Relief has been at the forefront, working tirelessly to provide aid and support to the affected communities in Sudan.

Our teams on the ground are delivering life-saving assistance, including food, clean water, medical supplies and emergency shelter. We are collaborating with local partners and volunteers to reach as many vulnerable individuals as possible.

In this critical time, your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by the crisis in Sudan.

Give today to provide urgent relief to those in need.

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