Our vision and strategy
Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
We provide lasting routes out of poverty, empowering people to transform their lives and serving all communities without prejudice.
Our five-year strategy for 2017-2021 has four global goals that aim to ensure we respond effectively to humanitarian emergencies, contribute significantly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and advocate for positive social change. These goals are based on four key areas of work we present in this report: humanitarian, development, campaigns and partnerships.
âI was an artisan gold miner, relying on luck to support my two children. Previously we had no water and farming knowledge,â says Juma, 26. He lives in Moyale, Kenya, an area on the frontline of the climate emergency.
Working with communities devastated by recurring flooding and droughts, we constructed dams and installed solar-irrigation technology. Juma decided to take up farming and joined other local people in one of the farmersâ groups we formed. As a result of our work, 3,000 families â including Jumaâs â now have livelihoods that can better withstand the challenges of climate change.
âI make a good income. During a three-month season I can earn ÂĢ19 per day from the sale of tomatoes. Our children are healthy because they now eat food fresh from the farm, unlike before.â
Our global goals
Mid-strategy review
By 2019 we reached halfway through our five-year strategy, making significant progress on each of our goals for 2021.
First strategic goal
Second strategic goal
Third strategic goal
Fourth strategic goal
Strategic goal
Reducing the impact of conflict and natural disasters
Vision for 2021
Become a leading global humanitarian aid agency and one of the first to respond to international crises.
Progress highlights
We set up a quick access General Emergency Fund, allowing us to respond swiftly to disasters.
We ensured communities were much better prepared for disasters through our STRIDE project, and strengthened our global roster of experienced emergency response teams.
Strategic goal
Empowering communities to emerge from poverty and vulnerability
Vision for 2021
Contribute significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals by increasing the quality and quantity of long-term integrated development programs, especially in poor and fragile countries.
Progress highlights
Our long-term development projects increased from 95 in 2015 to 262 projects in 2019.
We set up a Programme Quality department to improve the effectiveness and accountability of our projects â with better inclusion, monitoring and evaluation of our operations.
Islamic Relief attained the Core Humanitarian Standard certification, a coveted mark of quality assurance for our programming.
Strategic goals
Mobilising people and funds
Vision for 2021
Support our humanitarian and development work with better funding, advocacy and engagement by building partnerships with key stakeholders and supporters.
Progress highlights
Our income increased from ÂĢ126 million in 2017 to ÂĢ131 million in 2019.
We set up an External Relations and Advocacy Division to utilize our unique position and lead on faith-based advocacy on issues such as Islamic gender justice.
Islamic Relief expanded to reach new supporters in Ireland, Spain and Norway, while our field offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, South Africa, Pakistan and Kosova increased their capacity to raise funds locally.
Strategic goal
Strengthening the Islamic Relief federation
Vision for 2021
Build the capacity of Islamic Relief globally by implementing a federal structure with sustainable funding for shared services and core standards to protect the brand.
Improve our representation, partnerships and influence in developed countries.
Progress highlights
We completed the legal framework for a new global governance model for Islamic Relief.
We established the Humanitarian Academy for Development to improve and share our skills and expertise.
Our work with multiple partners across the Muslim charitable sector has promoted good governance standards widely.
Our External Relations and Programmes teams have strengthened Islamic Reliefâs unique faithbased contribution to development discourse on humanitarian and development issues.