Dr Ihab M. H. Saad
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
Assalamu alaykum Peace be with you
For millions of people around the world, 2021 was a tumultuous year. The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to exert huge pressure on many already vulnerable people, contributing to an increase in global hunger, shattering livelihoods, and impacting travel and communication worldwide. Wealthier countries are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel but many poorer countries are still desperately struggling. As always, Islamic Relief has been at the forefront of the humanitarian response, with food aid and other support to stave off hunger and suffering helping 6.77 million people and Covid-19 projects assisting over 1.46 million people.
The relentlessly escalating climate breakdown has also fuelled hunger and suffering worldwide, and this was another important priority for Islamic Relief. In 2021 we supported some of the communities hit hardest by the increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and drought. Our programmes are helping these communities to forge livelihoods that can better withstand extreme weather; to make smart use of renewable energy; and to get the information they need to make positive change.
After decades of instability and strife and a year of further upheaval, Afghanistan now stands at the brink of a famine of huge proportions. Islamic Relief has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, with our teams on the ground working tirelessly to secure food supplies and other forms of assistance while navigating a maze of international restrictions to operate lawfully and ethically.
In my second year as Chair of Islamic Reliefâs Board of Trustees, I am acutely aware of the huge demands involved in responding to crises in every region in which we operate. Yet I am continually inspired by the commitment and compassion of our staff and partner organisations in delivering vital humanitarian and development programmes in incredibly challenging circumstances. We are extremely grateful for the continued support and commitment of our supporters and partners. Despite the pressures faced by many in 2021, Islamic Relief Worldwideâs annual income in 2021 grew once more to ÂĢ183 million. Alhamdulillah, this generosity enabled us to deliver 823 life-saving and life-changing projects reaching 12.5 million people in 36 countries.
As a charity, we are increasingly focused on strengthening our impact and seeking new approaches and partnerships. We are taking bold steps to strengthen governance and collaboration across the global federation of Islamic Relief member entities, implementing the recommendations of an Independent Commission led by Dominic Grieve QC. We have again received certification under the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), in recognition of the professional and transformative approach we bring to delivering aid.
We have also maintained our commitment to the Leave No One Behind agenda, including projects in Sudan and Gaza to ensure people with disabilities have a clear voice in our programmes and policies. We announced a new three-year collaboration with UNICEF to advance the rights of vulnerable children and strengthened the capacity of dozens of local charities in Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan, Gaza and Yemen.
We see the pressures faced by our staff and the toll that these pandemic years have taken on some of those who work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable communities. In 2021, as part of our commitment to staff who give so much to the communities they serve, we launched a dedicated sponsorship fund assisting the children of Islamic Relief colleagues who have passed away.
I am particularly proud that we remain steadfast in our commitment to the Syrian and Yemeni people, many of whom continue to endure unspeakable suffering, and that we have stood by the people of Afghanistan through a year of significant upheaval. In Syria alone we assisted over a million people, while in Yemen we remain one of the UN World Food Programmeâs biggest partners, providing regular food parcels and vouchers to over 640,000 people.
In 2022 I am looking forward to the launch of our ground-breaking new campaign to empower women and tackle inequality between women and men from an Islamic faith perspective in the communities we serve. This initiative is an important part of our advocacy for positive social change. With your continuing support Islamic Relief will continue to do all we can to build and campaign for a future free from poverty and suffering.
Our work in some areas and on some issues is just beginning. None of our successes would have been possible were it not for the support granted to us by Allah the Almighty. We follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and founders who have made great sacrifices for the sake of Allah, serving His servants, which is the greatest honour to which we can aspire. Thank you for your support, and I hope our Board of Trustees will prove worthy of your trust as we lead the charity to achieve even more in the fight against poverty and suffering.
The relentlessly escalating climate breakdown has also fuelled hunger and suffering worldwide, and this was another important priority for Islamic Relief. In 2021 we supported some of the communities hit hardest by the increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and drought. Our programmes are helping these communities to forge livelihoods that can better withstand extreme weather; to make smart use of renewable energy; and to get the information they need to make positive change.
After decades of instability and strife and a year of further upheaval, Afghanistan now stands at the brink of a famine of huge proportions. Islamic Relief has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, with our teams on the ground working tirelessly to secure food supplies and other forms of assistance while navigating a maze of international restrictions to operate lawfully and ethically.
In my second year as Chair of Islamic Reliefâs Board of Trustees, I am acutely aware of the huge demands involved in responding to crises in every region in which we operate. Yet I am continually inspired by the commitment and compassion of our staff and partner organisations in delivering vital humanitarian and development programmes in incredibly challenging circumstances. We are extremely grateful for the continued support and commitment of our supporters and partners. Despite the pressures faced by many in 2021, Islamic Relief Worldwideâs annual income in 2021 grew once more to ÂĢ183 million. Alhamdulillah, this generosity enabled us to deliver 823 life-saving and life-changing projects reaching 12.5 million people in 36 countries.
As a charity, we are increasingly focused on strengthening our impact and seeking new approaches and partnerships. We are taking bold steps to strengthen governance and collaboration across the global federation of Islamic Relief member entities, implementing the recommendations of an Independent Commission led by Dominic Grieve QC. We have again received certification under the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), in recognition of the professional and transformative approach we bring to delivering aid.
We have also maintained our commitment to the Leave No One Behind agenda, including projects in Sudan and Gaza to ensure people with disabilities have a clear voice in our programmes and policies. We announced a new three-year collaboration with UNICEF to advance the rights of vulnerable children and strengthened the capacity of dozens of local charities in Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan, Gaza and Yemen.
We see the pressures faced by our staff and the toll that these pandemic years have taken on some of those who work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable communities. In 2021, as part of our commitment to staff who give so much to the communities they serve, we launched a dedicated sponsorship fund assisting the children of Islamic Relief colleagues who have passed away.
I am particularly proud that we remain steadfast in our commitment to the Syrian and Yemeni people, many of whom continue to endure unspeakable suffering, and that we have stood by the people of Afghanistan through a year of significant upheaval. In Syria alone we assisted over a million people, while in Yemen we remain one of the UN World Food Programmeâs biggest partners, providing regular food parcels and vouchers to over 640,000 people.
In 2022 I am looking forward to the launch of our ground-breaking new campaign to empower women and tackle inequality between women and men from an Islamic faith perspective in the communities we serve. This initiative is an important part of our advocacy for positive social change. With your continuing support Islamic Relief will continue to do all we can to build and campaign for a future free from poverty and suffering.
Our work in some areas and on some issues is just beginning. None of our successes would have been possible were it not for the support granted to us by Allah the Almighty. We follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and founders who have made great sacrifices for the sake of Allah, serving His servants, which is the greatest honour to which we can aspire. Thank you for your support, and I hope our Board of Trustees will prove worthy of your trust as we lead the charity to achieve even more in the fight against poverty and suffering.