“I still remember joining a humanitarian mission to Somalia in 2017. We travelled to a remote area in Balcad, Middle Shabelle, where we witnessed first-hand how a water complex had transformed the lives of the local community.

“The clean water provided was not only used by the villagers, but also served as a vital source for livestock and other animals, while helping to irrigate agricultural land.

“That was when I realised that every water project is not only for the benefit of people, but also for the other creations of Allah.”

– Zafirah, Islamic Relief Malaysia’s Staff

This experience reaffirmed that clean water is far more than a basic necessity. It is a catalyst for improving health, education, livelihoods and the overall well-being of an entire community.

Inspired by this commitment, Islamic Relief Malaysia is set to implement the Water Education and Living Standards for Communities in Warsheikh (WEL) Project in Somalia to help more people gain access to safe, reliable and sustainable clean water.

Why is Somalia still facing a water crisis?

For many of us, turning on a tap and accessing clean water is part of our daily routine. However, for many communities in Somalia, clean water remains a scarce and precious resource.

Many families continue to rely on limited water sources, while others have no choice but to use unsafe water for drinking and daily household needs. In some areas, people are forced to walk long distances every day just to collect enough water for their families.

This ongoing challenge affects far more than health. Children often miss school because they spend time collecting water, while women devote hours each day to this task, leaving them with fewer opportunities for education, income generation and family care. Without reliable access to clean water, it becomes increasingly difficult for communities to achieve sustainable development, as almost every aspect of daily life depends on this essential resource.

The WEL Project: A sustainable solution

To address these challenges, Islamic Relief Malaysia is introducing the Water Education and Living Standards for Communities in Warsheikh (WEL) Project as a long-term initiative to improve access to safe and sustainable water for local communities.

The project will develop a solar-powered water supply system, enabling residents to access clean water more efficiently and reliably.

Beyond constructing a borehole and installing pumps, pipelines and water storage tanks, the project also focuses on strengthening community capacity. A Water Management Committee will be established, while community members will receive training on operating and maintaining the water system, ensuring they are able to manage it independently once the project is completed.

This community-led approach is designed to maximise the long-term sustainability of the project while reducing reliance on external assistance.

Clean water changes lives in more ways than we imagine

Water projects are often seen simply as a way to provide drinking water.

In reality, their impact extends far beyond that.

Improved access to clean water helps reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, allowing families to live healthier lives. Children have more time to attend school instead of collecting water, while women are freed from spending hours each day searching for water.

Reliable water access also supports agriculture and livestock, which are among the primary sources of income for many rural communities. Over time, this contributes to stronger livelihoods, greater resilience and improved quality of life.

These are the very changes that Islamic Relief teams have witnessed in Somalia, and the same positive impact is expected to benefit the community of Warsheikh through the WEL Project.

Why a solar-powered water system?

One of the key features of the WEL Project is its use of a solar-powered water supply system.

Solar energy enables the system to operate efficiently without relying heavily on conventional electricity, helping to reduce operational costs while ensuring a more reliable supply of clean water.

Combined with community management and maintenance training, this approach offers a sustainable solution capable of serving the community for many years to come.

DWAS: Delivering hope through clean water

The WEL Project is one of the initiatives supported through Islamic Relief Malaysia’s Dana Wakaf Sistem Air (DWAS), or Water System Waqf Fund.

Through public contributions, more sustainable water projects can be implemented to support communities still struggling with water scarcity.

Every contribution goes beyond building a borehole or water supply system. It creates opportunities for children to return to school, enables families to enjoy healthier lives and empowers communities to build a brighter future. 

Be the reason water and hope continue to flow

For many of us, clean water is a blessing we often take for granted. For the people of Warsheikh, Somalia, however, it is the foundation of better health, improved education and the opportunity to build a better future.

Through the Dana Wakaf Sistem Air (DWAS), you can become part of this meaningful journey. Every contribution helps make the construction of a water supply complex possible, bringing clean water closer to thousands of people.

A single water complex has the potential to benefit approximately 5,000 people, while also supporting agriculture and livestock that sustain local livelihoods.

Together, we can help provide not only clean water, but also hope, dignity and a brighter future for communities in need.

Access to clean water is essential for health, hygiene, and survival. Yet, for millions of people in Bangladesh, obtaining safe drinking water remains a daily challenge due to groundwater contamination, climate change, seasonal flooding, and inadequate water supply infrastructure.

Recognising the importance of clean water, Islamic Relief Malaysia launched the Facilitating Water Access in Northern Bangladesh (FWAB) project to improve access to safe and sustainable water sources for communities in Mymensingh and Modhupur Upazila, Tangail District.

Since its inception in 2020, the project has been implemented in phases, focusing not only on providing water facilities but also on empowering communities through maintenance training, hygiene education, and capacity-building programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.

Why is access to clean water still a challenge in Bangladesh?

Although Bangladesh is home to an extensive network of rivers, many rural communities continue to struggle with access to safe drinking water.

Some of the major challenges include arsenic contamination in groundwater, bacterial contamination caused by inadequate sanitation systems, seasonal flooding that pollutes water sources, and the effects of climate change, which have led to increased salinity in certain areas.

According to UNICEF, only around 39.3% of Bangladesh’s population has access to safely managed drinking water services. This situation increases the risk of waterborne diseases and negatively affects public health, education, and overall community well-being.

For this reason, improving access to clean water remains a critical step towards enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable communities.

Facilitating Water Access in Northern Bangladesh (FWAB)

Between 2020 and 2025, Islamic Relief Malaysia implemented five phases of the FWAB project across several locations in Kuragacha, Aushnara, and Veribait in Mymensingh and Modhupur Upazila, Tangail District.

Throughout the project, Islamic Relief Malaysia successfully:

• Constructed 98 tube wells or deep set pumps
• Trained 102 local caretakers in the maintenance and repair of water facilities
• Conducted hygiene promotion and awareness programmes on the importance of clean water; and
• Reached 4,366 right holders

Over the five-year implementation period, the project evolved in response to the changing needs of local communities. In 2020, FWAB focused on installing tube wells while providing caretaker training and hygiene awareness programmes. The project expanded in 2022 with the installation of additional water facilities and continued maintenance training for local communities. By 2025, the project introduced Deep Set Pumps (DSPs) to improve access to safer water sources in areas where deeper groundwater extraction was required.

Impact on communities

Access to clean water has significantly improved the lives of local communities. For many families, the facilities provided through FWAB have reduced their dependence on contaminated water sources while making it easier to obtain safe water for daily use.

At the same time, training local caretakers and strengthening community capacity have helped ensure that the water facilities are properly maintained, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the project.

Hygiene promotion activities have also increased community awareness of good hygiene practices, safe water use, and the prevention of waterborne diseases, ultimately contributing to healthier and more resilient communities.

Bringing hope through clean water

Access to clean water is about more than meeting basic drinking needs. It supports better health, improved hygiene, education, and overall well-being, enabling communities to build safer and more dignified lives.

Through the generous support of donors to the Dana Wakaf Sistem Air (DWAS) campaign, Islamic Relief Malaysia remains committed to expanding access to clean water for vulnerable communities. Every contribution not only helps provide safe water facilities but also represents a long-term investment in building a brighter future for thousands of families across Bangladesh.

Siapa Je Nak Ke Bangladesh?

“Ini antara respon yang saya terima ketika kali pertama saya beritahu ahli keluarga yang saya akan mengikuti misi kemanusiaan ke Bangladesh. Ha! Bangladesh? Seriuslah? Ok ke? Ada apa nak ke sana?” cerita Imelda Harris, Ikon Kemanusiaan Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Menurutnya lagi, kalau bukan kerana misi kemanusiaan ke Bangladesh bersama Islamic Relief pada tahun 2023, dia juga pasti masih skeptikal dengan negara Tanah Bengal itu.

Bangladesh semestinya bukan pilihan utama masyarakat kita untuk bercuti. Jalan raya sesak dengan kenderaan dan haiwan ternakan yang berada di satu laluan yang sama menjadikan perjalanan ke satu-satu destinasi menjadi lama dan mencabar.

“Kami terpaksa menempuh perjalanan darat hampir 10 jam dari Dhaka ke Rangpur akibat hujan lebat dan kesesakan lalu lintas, sedangkan dalam keadaan biasa perjalanan hanya mengambil masa sekitar 5–6 jam sahaja. Bagaimanapun, perjalanan panjang itu sangat berbaloi bila kami tiba di lokasi projek yang telah mengubah nasib banyak keluarga,” luah Imelda.

Konsep Beri Kail, Bukan Ikan Semata-mata

Di Bangladesh, lebih 21 peratus penduduk hidup dengan pendapatan harian kurang daripada RM14 sehari. Keadaan ini semakin parah akibat tekanan inflasi dan kesan ekonomi global.

Islamic Relief mula menjalankan kerja-kerja kamanusiaan di Bangladesh pada tahun 1991, sejak negara itu dilanda bencana taufan yang dahsyat. Bermula dengan bantuan kecemasan, projek kebajikan yang dilaksanakan berkembang ke sektor pendidikan, kesihatan, air bersih dan penjanaan ekonomi serta memperkasa komuniti.

“Saya sangat terinspirasi dengan semangat dan kegigihan komuniti wanita di Rangpur. Dahulu, mereka hanya bergantung hidup dengan bantuan kemanusiaan ketika bencana melanda. Kini, mereka berjaya mewujudkan komuniti yang berdaya saing dengan penjanaan sumber ekonomi melalui hasil jualan kedai runcit dan ternakan,” kata Imelda.

Tambahnya lagi, projek Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Development (SEED), telah membawa perubahan besar kepada komuniti itu. Berbekalkan sokongan modal wang tunai RM6,500 untuk 30 peserta terlibat di peringkat awal projek, kini mereka mempunyai lebih daripada tiga sumber pendapatan.

Terbukti, usaha tidak pernah mengkhianati hasil. Sikap mereka yang tidak mensia-siakan peluang dan sentiasa bersedia untuk berubah menunjukkan ciri-ciri orang berjaya. Jadi, tidak hairanlah manfaat projek SEED telah berkembang luas ke kampung-kampung lain.

“Setiap minggu, kami akan berkumpul dan berkongsi perkembangan usaha ternakan dan jualan yang kami jalankan. Kami juga mewujudkan tabungan komuniti bernilai lebih RM5,000 untuk kami berikan pinjaman tanpa faedah kepada wanita lain dalam komuniti kami yang ingin memulakan usaha menjana ekonomi keluarga.

“Selain itu, kami juga mengumpul beras sekiranya ada yang terdesak memerlukannya. Dari secupak beras, kini sudah menjadi lebih 500 kilogram stok terkumpul,” terang Rupia Beghum, salah seorang penerima bantuan projek SEED.

Projek SEED anjuran Islamic Relief ini dilaksanakan hasil sumbangan rakyat Malaysia melalui tabung MySedekah. Dengan tagline “Kemanusiaan Tanpa Sempadan”, MySedekah menjadi platform yang menampung kos pelbagai projek bantuan merangkumi bekalan makanan, rawatan kesihatan, pembangunan ekonomi jangka panjang serta dana kesiapsiagaan krisis.

“Selain sokongan modal, kami turut diberi pendedahan tentang pengurusan kewangan termasuk inisiatif pinjaman tanpa faedah serta ilmu penternakan. Kesedaran mengenai pencegahan perkahwinan awal usia dalam kalangan wanita dan kepentingan pendidikan kanak‑kanak juga menjadi antara fokus utama yang dititikberatkan.

“Kami rasa sangat bersyukur kerana berjaya mencegah dua kes perkahwinan awal usia dan menyelamatkan wanita daripada menjadi mangsa keganasan rumah tangga. Projek ini bukan sahaja membantu kami menjana pendapatan, tetapi memberi sinar baharu kepada wanita yang hampir putus harapan,” jelas Rupia Beghum.

Tiada Alasan Untuk Bermalas-Malasan

“Saya selalu percaya, hanya dengan ilmu kita dapat membina masa depan lebih baik. Ketika saya terlibat dalam kemalangan sewaktu dalam perjalanan untuk menduduki peperiksaan, saya rasa dunia saya seolah terhenti,” luah Salina Akhter salah seorang peserta projek SEED yang menjana pendapatan dengan menternak itik, kambing dan lembu.

Salina kehilangan kedua belah tangan dalam insiden kemalangan itu. Dia hampir depresi akibat kejadian itu.

“Islamic Relief hadir membawa harapan baharu. Saya nekad menyertai projek SEED untuk membuktikan bahawa saya boleh berdikari, mempunyai pendapatan sendiri dan tidak mahu bergantung kepada ibu bapa saya sahaja kerana mereka sudah tua,” kata Salina.

Salina antara peserta yang berjaya dan menjadi contoh kepada komuniti setempat. Dia kini dapat menjana pendapatan lebih RM160 sebulan. Cukup untuk menampung keperluan diri dan ibu bapanya.

“Sehingga kini, kisah Salina menjadi antara pendorong untuk saya terus terlibat dalam kerja‑kerja kemanusiaan. Di luar sana, masih ramai yang memerlukan sokongan dan bantuan kita. Ramai juga yang telah berjaya mengubah nasib diri dan keluarga hasil sumbangan kecil yang kita kumpulkan bersama.

“Selain projek SEED di Bangladesh, ada banyak lagi projek kebajikan yang dijalankan Islamic Relief dan memberi impak besar kepada keluarga memerlukan antaranya projek ternakan ayam di Kosova, tanaman sayur-sayuran di Syria, projek rumah hijau di Albania dan Bosnia serta banyak lagi,” jelas Imelda.

Projek SEED di Bangladesh hanyalah salah satu daripada pelbagai inisiatif yang dilaksanakan hasil sumbangan orang ramai melalui MySedekah. Jadilah sebahagian daripada asbab kebaikan dengan menyokong usaha Islamic Relief Malaysia dalam membantu komuniti yang memerlukan di seluruh dunia. Ketahui lebih lanjut atau salurkan sumbangan anda melalui MySedekah. Semoga setiap rezeki yang dikongsi menjadi saham akhirat yang berpanjangan buat kita semua.