Families in Lebanon are trapped in appalling conditions after being forced to leave their homes under bombardment and Israeli military evacuation orders, Islamic Relief says.

Hundreds of thousands of people – including elderly and sick people and young children – have been ordered to leave the south of the capital city, Beirut, and large parts of southern Lebanon and head north. Public shelters in communal buildings such as schools are becoming desperately overcrowded. Waves of intense airstrikes have hit homes and shops and turned parts of southern Beirut into rubble.

Mohammed Taleb, an Islamic Relief aid worker in Beirut, said:

“People are terrified and fleeing in panic, but the conditions in the shelters are appalling. Up to 25 people are sleeping in a classroom, there’s only one hour of electricity a day, rubbish is piling up, and there isn’t enough water. There are no locks on doors, which puts people at risk, especially women and girls. There is no heating and the nights are cold. We went to one shelter that can officially host 75 families, but 120 have already arrived. But these families are the lucky ones – many more people spent the night on the side of a road.”

Families forced to flee urgently require food, drinking water, hygiene kits, mattresses, blankets, and fuel for generators. Islamic Relief teams are delivering aid to displaced families but supplies are likely to run out in the coming week if the attacks and forced displacement orders continue.

Islamic Relief is calling for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, in accordance with international law. People must not be forced to leave their homes, and must be assured safe access to humanitarian assistance.

The displacement orders issued by Israel yesterday mirror those previously seen in Gaza, where civilians were forced to immediately leave their homes without knowing whether they would ever be able to return. Many who did return found their neighbourhoods completely flattened. 

KAJANG, 23 January 2026 – A total of 100 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kajang, Bandar Kajang received school assistance through the Cheer To School (CTS) programme, an annual initiative aimed at supporting students from underprivileged families.

The programme is fully sponsored by Maybank Islamic, with Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) as the implementing partner. The beneficiaries comprise Level 1 and Level 2 students who were identified as needing support for school essentials.

Each student received a school bag, stationery set, files, water bottle, coloured pencils, pencil case, lunch box, as well as a RM100 voucher to purchase additional school necessities such as uniforms, shoes and socks.

Islamic Relief Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood, said the programme is expected to ease the financial burden of parents while motivating students to continue striving for excellence in their studies.

“We hope this Cheer To School assistance will provide relief to parents and allow students to start the school term with greater confidence and motivation,” she said.

She added that in addition to school supplies, the vouchers give families the flexibility to purchase items based on their children’s specific needs.

Meanwhile, SK Kajang Aid and Welfare Unit Coordinator, Wan Zuraifah Wan Abdullah, said that the majority of students at the school come from asnaf and low-income families.

“These children are very eager to learn, but they face financial constraints. Some still wear their siblings’ school uniforms and use their bags, and some of them are orphans,” she said.

According to her, the contribution clearly brought joy to the students who received the assistance.

“SK Kajang is truly grateful and would like to express its highest appreciation to Maybank Islamic, Islamic Relief Malaysia, and all parties involved,” she added.

One of the beneficiaries, Amira, a Year 3 student, expressed her happiness upon receiving the school supplies.

“My mother works as a babysitter and my father is a security guard. I’m very happy to receive these school items. I can share them with my younger sibling,” she said.

Overall, Maybank Islamic has sponsored 1,450 students across five states; Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak and benefiting students from more than 30 schools nationwide.

The CTS programme remains one of IR Malaysia’s key initiatives in ensuring more equitable access to education for underprivileged students in Malaysia.

In a crisis that has stripped millions of their basic rights, Khatmala’s community kitchen proves that humanity survives even when systems collapse.

In Gedaref’s internally displaced persons camps, Khatmala runs a ‘takaaya’ – a community kitchen – where she provides and shares food and drink, that have become lifelines for those who have lost everything.

“I fetch water, get the ice ready, and then people start coming,” she says. “My joy never fades. I just keep talking with people, I don’t like to sit idle.”

In a nation where more than 12 million have been displaced and over 30 million people need humanitarian assistance, Khatmala’s takaaya has become something extraordinary – the difference between life and starvation for people in Sudan.

What happens when every right disappears

The long running conflict in Sudan has created what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 80% of healthcare facilities are closed, food production has collapsed and there famine-like conditions being reported from multiple regions.

For women and girls, the conflict has been devastating.

More than 12 million live at risk of gender-based violence. Sexual violence has become a systematic weapon of war with widespread and horrific reports of women being forced into sexual slavery, gang rapes and the assault of children.

Simply being female in Sudan, as UN Women puts it, is “a strong predictor of hunger, violence and death.”

The fundamental rights in the Universal Declaration – life, security, food, shelter, freedom from torture – have been obliterated for millions.

This is the context in which Khatmala serves tea each morning.

A true community kitchen

Takaayas in Sudan represent something profound: when institutions fail, communities become the last line of defence.

“Every Friday, I cook breakfast and sometimes lunch,” Khatmala explains. Camp police help when they can. Neighbours contribute what little they have. “Everyone comes and eats. You have to extend your hand to others.”

Before Islamic Relief’s support, conditions were harsh.

“When it rained, I sat there soaking wet,” she remembers. The organisation brought a tent, sheeting, supplies. “Now I’m covered. Now I can do more.”

The support represented more than materials, it was recognition. Her work matters.

“I can’t ignore a hungry person. If I see a neighbour’s child who hasn’t eaten, I share what I have. That’s just God’s mercy.

“I try to give what I can, so I don’t forget the blessings I receive,” she reflects. “When you eat from what God gives, remember those who have less.” 

When the world looks away

Islamic Relief’s first ever intervention was responding to famine in Sudan in 1984 – Over 4 decades later and we are still here. In the past 2 years alone, Islamic Relief has reached more than 1.2 million people with vital humanitarian aid including food, water, medical support, dignity kits, and support for initiatives like Khatmala’s kitchen.

The gap between need and response is catastrophic, however. Without urgent action, Sudan risks total state collapse, a nightmare with massive regional consequences. Without proper funding and without political will to end the conflict, millions more will be pushed past the brink.

When asked what message she would give to people beyond Sudan, Khatmala says: “I just want to tell people: do good. We don’t need to brag – just say, ‘Alhamdulillah, we helped.’ Even a handful of dirt, if given sincerely, is valuable to God.

“Whatever you can give, we accept with open hearts. We just want your kindness, your good words, your prayers.”

The work that cannot wait

Khatmala’s story offers an urgent reminder: human rights aren’t abstract principles. They are fundamentals. They are the difference between life and death.

This Human Rights Day marks the end of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, we need to celebrate and support community leaders like Khatmala. We need to ensure women’s participation in peace processes and hold perpetrators accountable. Transform pledges into resources that actually reach people.

Crucially we need to view people like Khatmala clearly, not as helpless victims, but as architects of their own survival, deserving partnership and support.

Islamic Relief has been supporting vulnerable communities in Sudan for over 40 years. To support our lifesaving work and help women like Khatmala continue serving their communities, please donate to our International Emergency Appeal today.

Dr Masih Farahimi leaves for work each day fearing arrest simply for being a woman. Yet she continues to show up, knowing that pregnant mothers and newborns depend on her presence. Her story reveals both the crushing weight of gender-based restrictions and the unbreakable spirit of Afghan women refusing to disappear.

“Every day when we leave the house, we despair that we might be arrested for being a woman and not returned back.”

Dr Masih Farahimi speaks these words with quiet intensity. A medical doctor working as a midwife with Islamic Relief’s Hira Project since March 2020, Dr Farahmi embodies a paradox that defines life for countless Afghan women: continuing to serve her community whilst living under restrictions designed to erase her from public life entirely.

As the world marks 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, Dr Masih’s reality demands our attention. One in 3 women around the world experience violence, but for Afghan women, the violence isn’t just physical. It’s systemic, structural, and suffocating.

The daily calculation

Dr Masih works full time in a maternity ward, focusing on antenatal care, postnatal care, and family planning services. Basic healthcare that saves lives. Yet reaching work requires navigating a maze of restrictions that would break most people.

She is forced to travel with a mahram (a male guardian) almost everywhere; There is a constant dress code to adhere to; Training or meetings outside the province are often forbidden.

Dr Masih has to make the same mental calculation each morning: is the risk worth it?

“We don’t have security,” she explains simply. The understatement masks a profound truth. Since August 2021, Afghanistan has implemented increasingly severe restrictions on women.

In December 2024, authorities banned women from studying medicine, nursing, or midwifery, closing some of their last pathways to professional healthcare roles. Earlier that year, a new law formalised existing restrictions and introduced fresh ones, including prohibiting women from speaking aloud in public.

For female health workers like Dr Masih, these restrictions create impossible situations. Nearly 90% of medical staff in earthquake-affected regions are men. When disasters strike, women and girls comprise over half the casualties but face critical barriers accessing care. Male doctors cannot examine them under strict social codes. Female doctors are vanishingly rare and increasingly restricted.

 What keeps her going

“The need of the people, especially women and children, motivates me,” Dr Masih says. “Many of them depend on our presence for basic healthcare and awareness. Knowing that I can make even a small difference gives me strength to keep going.”

“Even then, it’s hard.” She adds.

The mental and emotional toll of working under such conditions is immense. Female-friendly spaces where women could gather and support each other have closed. Dr Masih copes by staying home when mentally exhausted, spending time with other women, sitting with family, and trying to think positively.

“I believe that the situation will eventually change for the better, inshallah,” she says, her faith evident, despite everything.

The ripple effects

The restrictions don’t only harm female health workers. They devastate the entire healthcare system and the communities it serves. Afghanistan now has 1 of the world’s largest workforce gender gaps. Just 1 in 4 women is working or seeking work, compared to nearly 90% of men.

Dr Masih shares an example: “I know a woman who suffers from haemorrhoids but is not allowed to go to the hospital because there is no female doctor or surgeon available. Her husband also refuses to let a male doctor examine her.”

The woman suffers in silence, denied care because of her gender.

It is a story repeated across Afghanistan, where women’s access to healthcare has become increasingly difficult. Fear, mobility restrictions, education bans, and systemic discrimination keep women and girls from getting the care they need.

A different kind of violence

This is gender-based violence. Not always physical, but violence, nonetheless. It is the deliberate erasure of women from education, employment, and public life. The systematic denial of their autonomy, their voice, their right to exist fully in society.

The UN has stated these restrictions may constitute crimes against humanity. Yet women like Dr Masih continue showing up, providing care, refusing to be erased.

Dr Masih’s requests are straightforward: more flexibility around travel restrictions and access to training, safe transportation options for female staff, more community sensitisation and an increase in mental health support.

“These would make a big difference,” she states.

But her deeper hopes go further.

“I hope all these restrictions will be lifted and women will be allowed to make decisions about their own lives. Schools and universities should reopen. We should not be punished further simply because of our gender. I want my rights to be respected as a human being and not to be deprived of my basic freedoms.”

The strength to continue

“I am a very strong woman, alhamdulillah,” Dr Masih says.

This is not bravado. It is survival. It’s the strength of every woman who continues working despite restrictions designed to stop her.

Islamic Relief continues to support healthcare workers like Dr Masih through projects like Hira, providing safe and supportive work environments despite enormous challenges. The organisation tries to create inclusive environments for female staff, ensuring they work with dignity and respect even as the broader context makes this increasingly difficult.

“Despite the current restrictions, I find the Islamic Relief workplace relatively safe and supportive,” she reflects. “My team always ensures we work with dignity and respect.”

In a country where being a woman in public can lead to arrest, where speaking aloud is forbidden, where education and employment are systematically denied, Dr Masih continues to serve. Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s safe. But because lives depend on it.

That’s not just resilience. That’s revolutionary hope in action.

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, Dr Masih’s story reminds us that solidarity requires more than sympathy. It demands action. Afghan women haven’t given up. Neither should the international community.

Islamic Relief stands with women and girls facing violence and discrimination worldwide. During the 16 Days of Activism and every day, we remain committed to supporting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all people. Support our work today and donate.

The morning routine begins early for Iman in Grozny, Chechnya. When most teenagers hit snooze on their alarms, 15-year-old Iman is already awake, performing her upper body exercises before logging into her online classes. Confined to a wheelchair due to spinal trauma, Iman has structured her days around what she can control – her education, her determination, and now, her flourishing career as a nail artist.

“The main challenge I face in my daily life is the inability to walk and be self-reliant in the simplest activities that other people can afford without any efforts,” Iman says. “I am greatly obliged to my parents for their patience and love.”

Yet this young woman from Chechnya is rewriting what independence looks like.

A turning point

A friend had shared information about Islamic Relief’s free vocational training programme for people with disabilities through WhatsApp, Iman saw the opportunity and never looked back.

For a family where the sole breadwinner is Iman’s 21-year-old brother Muslim (who works in airport security) and where medical expenses for Iman’s regular rehabilitation courses and operations constantly strain resources, this felt almost destined.

“I like it very much to draw, that’s why we decided that I should take manicure classes,” Iman explains. Her mother Razet called Islamic Relief for details, and soon they were invited to the first lesson. “It was great!” Iman recalls.

From student to business owner

What Islamic Relief provided went beyond the expected. Iman didn’t just acquire manicure and pedicure skills – she received all the equipment and materials needed to open her own studio. Income from Muslim’s salary, Iman’s disability pension, and her mother’s small carer’s allowance are often not enough to cover monthly costs, this support from Islamic Relief helped transform possibility into reality.

“It is a great thing to be able to work and earn something yourself!” Iman says with pride.

The work demands excellence. Building a client base requires not just technical skill but trust, reliability, and the ability to deliver results that keep customers coming back. For someone who must navigate daily life from a wheelchair, each client appointment represents a small victory – over societal assumptions, over logistical challenges, over the limitations others might impose.

Iman’s first income – 6,900 roubles (approximately RM415) – represents far more than its monetary value. It’s proof of capability, evidence of independence, and validation that her worth isn’t defined by her disability.

The power of belief

“Our teacher is a great person, she inspired us so much and welcomed all our efforts,” Iman remembers. “This made us sure we would succeed”

This belief – from her instructor, from her family and supported by Islamic Relief – has been transformative. In a world where people with disabilities face unemployment rates as high as 80% in some countries and assumptions about capability often precede any assessment of actual ability, Iman’s story challenges every limiting narrative.

She studies online in Year 9, managing her education despite regular interruptions for medical treatment. She maintains morning exercise routines. She builds a business. She does all of this whilst relying entirely on others for basic mobility.

“I saw many people who cannot use their legs, but they use their brain and hands to be useful to the society,” Iman reflects.

Building community, not just business

For Iman, the vocational training programme delivered unexpected gifts alongside the practical skills. “I have gained skills and met many good friends! I have received a lot of good memories!” she says.

This social dimension matters profoundly.

“I don’t like it to be alone, I like people and communication,” Iman explains.

The programme created what all good disability inclusion initiatives should: not a separate space for people with disabilities, but an environment where they could learn, grow, and build community together whilst developing skills.

Looking forward with hope

“Insha’Allah, I will continue to work as a nail master, since I like it very much,” Iman says of her future. Her aspirations are to continue doing the work she loves and to maintain the independence she’s worked so hard to build.

She’s practical about improvements too, suggesting that training facilities could benefit from more spacious rooms and stationary ramp entrances – the kind of accessibility features that demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusion.

Her message to Islamic Relief carries the gratitude of someone who understands exactly what was given: not charity, but opportunity. “I would like to thank people in the Islamic Relief who thought of this kind of project. Such attitude gives people with disabilities a chance to become more skilled and make their dreams come true!”

 What real support looks like

As the world marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Iman’s story reminds us that leadership comes in many forms.

Sometimes it looks like a 15-year-old girl in Grozny, building a business from a wheelchair, proving that determination and opportunity can overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.

Her hands may create beautiful nails, but her story paints an even more beautiful picture – of resilience, of family support, of organisational commitment, and of a young woman refusing to let disability define the boundaries of her life.

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Islamic Relief Worldwide celebrates individuals like Iman who lead through their courage, determination, and refusal to accept limitations. Their leadership lights the path towards a truly inclusive and sustainable future for all. Support our work and help us provide opportunities for more people like Iman, donate today.

The scorching sun beats down on Camp-4 in Kutupalong, Bangladesh, home to more than 35,000 Rohingya refugees who fled unspeakable violence in Myanmar. Among them is 36-year-old Nasima, whose story reveals the particular vulnerabilities women face in humanitarian crises.

As we mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we share the story of Nasima, a Rohingya refugee whose journey from persecution to resilience reminds us why safe shelter is a fundamental right for all women and girls.

When home becomes a memory

In December 2017, Nasima’s world collapsed. The Myanmar army’s brutal campaign against the Rohingya forced her family to make an impossible choice: stay and face persecution, or flee into the unknown. Like nearly 1 million others, Nasima chose survival, but it came at a devastating cost.

During their desperate escape, Myanmar soldiers opened fire on Nasima’s family. The bullets found their mark, leaving her with severe injuries that would alter the course of her life. The physical wounds were profound, but the invisible scars ran deeper still. The trauma shattered not only her body but her sense of safety in the world.

Today, Nasima lives with her 6-year-old daughter Yasmin in a refugee camp where nearly 8,000 families grapple with the daily struggle for survival. With no source of income and limited mobility due to her injuries, Nasima embodies the vulnerabilities that women in humanitarian settings face – vulnerabilities that the 16 Days of Activism campaign seeks to address.

The weight of unsafe shelter

For 2 years, Nasima and Yasmin were forced to live in a deteriorating bamboo shelter. The structure, ravaged by weather and termites, offered little more than a symbolic roof over their heads. Damaged tarpaulins provided scant protection against the region’s punishing sun and monsoon rains. The flimsy fencing was no barrier at all.

“I used to live in a small bamboo shelter, and I was always sceptical about its durability,” Nasima recalls. “Whenever there was a strong wind, I feared that the shelter might not withstand it.”

This constant state of fear is something women in crisis settings know well. When your home cannot protect you from the elements, you are vulnerable to everything. For women like Nasima – living with physical disabilities and mental trauma – an unstable shelter exacerbates the daily challenges of camp life and increases exposure to gender-based violence.

The dignity of safe shelter

Hope arrived in January 2023 when Islamic Relief launched the Integrated WASH and Shelter Assistance Project (InSAP) in Camp-4. Through careful assessment, Islamic Relief identified the families most in need – those whose shelters had become dangerous rather than protective. Nasima qualified for the programme, receiving more than just materials.

Islamic Relief built a new shelter for Nasima. Strong bamboo replaced rotting posts. Secure tarpaulins replaced tattered sheets. A proper structure replaced a precarious assemblage. For the first time since fleeing Myanmar, Nasima and Yasmin had a home that could protect them.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Islamic Relief Bangladesh,” Nasima says, her voice carrying relief. “This new shelter provides a sense of security and comfort we haven’t experienced in years. It’s a life-changing intervention that we won’t forget.”

Islamic Relief also provided mosquito nets to protect against disease, Qurbani meat during celebrations, winter clothes against the cold, and Ramadan food parcels. But as this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign reminds us, women’s safety requires sustained investment and commitment.

The transformative power of aid

As we observe the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Nasima’s journey from a bullet-riddled escape to a safe shelter reminds us of our collective responsibility. Nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide experiences violence in their lifetime. In humanitarian emergencies, these risks intensify.

Safe shelter is both practical intervention and powerful statement: every woman and girl deserves protection, dignity, and the chance to live without fear. Nasima’s resilience shows us what becomes possible when humanitarian assistance recognises the specific vulnerabilities women face and responds with comprehensive, compassionate support.

Shelter to Nasima and Yasmin represent more than walls and a roof, it symbolises a future where safety for women is not a luxury, but a fundamental right.

This 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Islamic Relief Worldwide stands with women and girls facing violence, displacement, and insecurity worldwide. Together, we can build a future where every woman has access to safety, dignity, and hope. Donate now to help women and girls like Nasima and Yasmin.

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oktober 2025 – Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) dengan kerjasama Takaful IKHLAS General Berhad dan IKHLAS Barakah House telah mengadakan Majlis Penutup Program Unlock Your Entrepreneurship Skills (U-YES) bertempat di Hotel Olympic Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur bagi meraikan kejayaan peserta-peserta Program U-YES setelah menjalani program selama setahun.

Program U-YES merupakan salah satu inisiatif kehidupan mampan yang dilaksanakan bagi meningkatkan taraf hidup serta kesejahteraan komuniti melalui pemerkasaan ekonomi dan pengukuhan hubungan sosial dalam kalangan peserta.

Program yang mendapat tajaan Takaful IKHLAS melalui dana IKHLAS Barakah House (IBH) berjumlah RM271,500 ini dilaksanakan bermula dari Ogos 2024 hingga September 2025 melibatkan penyertaan 10 orang usahawan dari PPR Desa Rejang, Setapak.

Majlis penutup telah disempurnakan oleh Asri Suratman, Ketua Pegawai Operasi Perniagaan Takaful IKHLAS General Berhad, yang dalam ucapannya berkata, “Program kali ini merupakan kesinambungan kerjasama antara Islamic Relief Malaysia dan Takaful IKHLAS selepas program Gift of Hope di Pulau Pinang.

“Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada semua peserta yang berjaya meningkatkan pendapatan serta memajukan perniagaan melalui Program U-YES ini.

“Nilai-nilai murni yang ditunjukkan oleh Rasulullah SAW dalam berniaga seperti jujur, amanah dan ikhlas harus kita teladani dan tanamkan dalam diri sebagai usahawan Muslim sejati.

“Saya ingin menekankan bahawa kejayaan seorang usahawan tidak hanya diukur melalui jumlah keuntungan semata-mata tetapi sejauh mana perniagaan itu memberi keuntungan kepada masyarakat di sekitar kita.”

Sementara itu, Dato’ Sri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Pengerusi Lembaga Pemegang Amanah IR Malaysia berkata kejayaan program ini membuktikan bahawa pendekatan latihan dan bimbingan menyeluruh mampu membawa perubahan sebenar dalam kehidupan peserta.

“Sepanjang pelaksanaan Program U-YES, kami menyaksikan banyak perubahan positif yang membanggakan. Semua peserta menunjukkan peningkatan pendapatan, dengan separuh daripadanya berjaya menambah lebih 50% pendapatan, dan tiga peserta menggandakan keuntungan mereka.

“Lebih penting lagi, mereka kini lebih yakin, berdikari dan profesional dalam mengurus perniagaan menggunakan platform digital serta pengurusan kewangan yang lebih teratur.”

Beliau turut mengiktiraf peranan penting Takaful IKHLAS, IKHLAS Barakah House dan My Fortitude Synergy yang menjadi tulang belakang kejayaan pelaksanaan program ini melalui bimbingan, latihan serta sokongan menyeluruh kepada peserta.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif My Fortitude Synergy, Lily Sabrina Md Saber, turut menzahirkan rasa bangga terhadap perubahan yang dicapai peserta setelah menjalani latihan selama setahun yang dikendalikannya bersama pasukan.

Dalam ucapannya, “Banyak pengorbanan yang peserta lakukan demi merubah kehidupan. Saya amat berbangga melihat dan mendengar perubahan mereka. Semoga anda semua terus maju dan menjadi usahawan berintegriti yang memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat dan negara.”

Antara peserta yang diraikan ialah Hairatul Asmah, pengusaha makanan di Wangsa Maju, yang berkongsi kisah kejayaan beliau.

“Program ini sangat membantu menaikkan taraf pendapatan kami sekeluarga. Jika sebelum ini pendapatan harian sekitar RM12 hingga RM30, kini boleh mencecah RM3,000 sehari apabila kami berniaga di acara hujung minggu.”

Melalui pendekatan latihan teknikal dan bimbingan praktikal, Program U-YES bukan sahaja meningkatkan pengetahuan dan kemahiran peserta, malah menyokong Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDG) 1: Tiada Kemiskinan, SDG 5: Kesaksamaan Jantina, dan SDG 17: Perkongsian Untuk Matlamat.

IR Malaysia akan terus memperkukuh usaha memperkasakan komuniti melalui pelbagai inisiatif kehidupan mampan bagi membantu masyarakat keluar daripada kitaran kemiskinan.

Turut hadir memeriahkan majlis ialah Wan Jemizan W Deraman, Pengerusi IKHLAS Barakah House, Noorazimah Tahir, Naib Presiden dan Ketua Komunikasi Korporat Kumpulan, MNRB Holdings Berhad dan Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IR Malaysia.

October marks 2 years of Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza. That we’ve reached this grim milestone is testimony to the complicity of world leaders who have failed to stop the daily war crimes being carried out on Gaza.

More than 66,288 people have been killed – including some 20,000 children – and over 169,165 injured since the onslaught began.

Life in Gaza today is clouded by danger and uncertainty. Children are starving to death in a man-made famine and, each day, more civilians are massacred. The Israeli blockade traps families in a daily struggle to get food, medicine, shelter, water – everything they need to survive.

Uprooted repeatedly

Almost everyone in Gaza has been forced from their homes, often multiple times. 90% of families have been displaced an average of 6 times, while others have been forced to flee many more times – including Islamic Relief’s own staff.

The situation is getting even worse, with Israel intensifying its attack on Gaza City and ordering people to leave.

For some, leaving Gaza City is just not an option. Relocating is extremely expensive, and many say they have nowhere else to go. Others fear if they leave, they’ll never be able to return. With famine declared in Gaza City and the surrounding areas, others are too sick or weak to survive another journey. Those that have left are being forced into increasingly overcrowded camps, where diseases and starvation are rife.

Hundreds of thousands of people are squeezed into tents along the beach, in the wreckage of bombed buildings and along the streets.

Perhaps no one is suffering more than Gaza’s children. Struggling to survive, they are also seeing their hopes for the future being snuffed out. Famine threatens the lives of over 132,000 children, and all children under 5 are at risk of severe malnourishment, which can lead to long-term health issues, even for those who manage to get treatment. An entire generation of children are now in their third year out of school, and we are seeing rising mental health issues due to the extreme suffering and grief.

Your impact, their resilience 

Israel’s illegal blockade continues to restrict humanitarian aid, but amid so much hardship, Islamic Relief continues to be a lifeline to people in desperate need in Gaza.

Thanks to your support, our staff and partners have been delivering life-saving aid. Most recently, we have delivered hot meals to 28,560 right holders and distributed 931 food parcels to displaced families.

In addition, we have expanded our programmes supporting new and expectant mothers and babies. We have carried out almost 400 medical check-ups for pregnant women and supported deliveries, including C-sections.

Over the last 2 years, we have constantly adapted our response in light of the highly fluid situation on the ground, striving to ensure that our staff, partners and the communities we serve are not endangered. Our response has included:

• Distributing fresh fruit and vegetables to families living in temporary shelters
• Providing hot meals and hygiene kits to displaced people
• Distributing ready-to-eat meals, food packs and qurbani meat
• Providing psychosocial care to children experiencing trauma
• Trucking in clean drinking water
• Delivering medical supplies to hospitals and healthcare centres
• Setting up medical points and supporting these with medications and supplies
• Providing lipid-based nutritional supplements in partnership with the World Food Programme
• Cleaning shelters
• Providing multi-purpose cash assistance so families can buy what they need most
• Expanding our Orphan Sponsorship Programme to reach more than 21,000 children

Speaking up for Gaza

These efforts are helping to ease suffering, but the people of Gaza need more than aid.

Palestinians have shown incredible resilience, but there is a limit to what humans can endure. World leaders must finally act to demand a ceasefire and pressure Israel to fully reopen all land crossings so that sufficient supplies can arrive before it’s too late for those struggling for survival.

More paltry words of condemnation will not make any difference now. To save lives, governments must apply meaningful economic and diplomatic pressure, such as ending all arms sales, suspending trade agreements, and banning trade and investment with illegal Israeli settlements.

While we continue to call for action, help Islamic Relief to continue supporting people in desperate need in Gaza. Donate to our Palestine Appeal today.

Amid the increasingly complex and uncertain global challenges, humanitarian crises continue to pose major issues that demand urgent attention and action. Wars, armed conflicts, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and various other factors have led to chaos and severe disruptions in societal systems. These circumstances have resulted in the loss of lives and property, mass displacement of people, and the destruction of infrastructure.

Even more concerning, they have also undermined access to basic necessities such as clean water, food, and healthcare services. All of these leave behind trauma and profound impacts on the survival, safety, and fundamental rights of affected communities.

In facing such critical situations, the role of nations across the world is crucial to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered effectively and efficiently. It must be acknowledged that humanitarian crises occurring in any one country should not be neglected. Instead, they are challenges that the entire world must confront together in order to defend and uphold social justice for marginalized communities.

It must be remembered that crises and disasters not only test the resilience of local communities, but also serve as a measure of global commitment in assisting those affected by conflict.

Conflict-ridden countries such as Gaza, Sudan, and Syria often reflect the faces of those enduring suffering. They require continuous support and assistance from other nations so that their spirit to keep fighting for survival does not fade away.

In such critical moments, the international community must wisely decide whether to remain silent and indifferent, or to rise together in igniting hope and resilience during times of humanitarian crisis.

Solidarity: An International Bridge

When conflict erupts, cross-border support becomes a vital bridge that not only strengthens diplomatic relations but also helps restore peace and instill hope among affected communities.

The assistance provided covers basic needs such as food, medical care, temporary shelter, and psychosocial support to ensure the continued well-being of both physical health and mental resilience.

In today’s era of globalization, solidarity is no longer confined to physical aid alone. The presence of digital platforms, such as social media, has created vast opportunities for people to express their support at their fingertips.

Through the sharing of information, awareness campaigns, and targeted hashtags, the global community can unite in voicing concern for humanitarian issues swiftly and widely.

A successful example of global solidarity is the #FreePalestine and #SaveGaza campaigns, which went viral worldwide during Israel’s intensified attacks on Palestine. Through these campaigns, more social media users were able to demonstrate their solidarity and opposition to inhumane actions by uploading images, videos, infographics, and eyewitness reports that exposed the true situation faced by Palestinians.

This collective action raised global awareness, placed pressure on world leaders, and strengthened public support in demanding justice and an end to violence.

In conjunction with World Humanitarian Day, it is only fitting that greater exposure be given to humanitarian issues so that the power of millions of voices can be amplified in the pursuit of justice for the oppressed.

This commitment is also reflected through on-the-ground actions, such as those undertaken by Islamic Relief, which delivers emergency aid including food, water, medicine, and shelter to communities affected by humanitarian crises.

As emphasized by the Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia), Siti Fadilah Mohd Hood, World Humanitarian Day is a crucial moment to reflect on our shared commitment to upholding humanitarian values. Despite the many challenges and difficulties, humanitarian workers continue to bravely step forward, bringing hope and relief to those most in need.

“As an NGO, we are determined to continue carrying this mandate and to play an active role in ensuring that aid reaches on time and has a real impact on the lives of marginalized communities. We all share a collective responsibility to nurture compassion, unity, and boundless solidarity. Therefore, I call upon everyone to help build a world that is more just, peaceful, and humane,” she said.

World Humanitarian Day is not merely a day of remembrance, but a day for action, contribution, and advocacy. In a world often divided by conflict, it is the spirit of humanity that has the power to unite.

The role of nations, together with the solidarity of communities across the globe, can indirectly strengthen the universal humanitarian spirit and sow hope for those enduring hardship.

As long as suffering exists, we must continue moving forward. May this awareness fuel collective efforts toward a world that is more peaceful and compassionate.

Nada Abu Taleb has documented Yemen’s silent suffering as Islamic Relief’s Media and Communication Coordinator in the country. Now, she reveals what humanitarian work truly means in one of the world’s most neglected crises.

World Humanitarian Day is a moment to pause, reflect, and remember why we choose to stand together in the face of crises. After nearly 15 years of humanitarian work, I have learned that to #ActForHumanity is not simply a theme; it’s a daily commitment, deeply personal and urgent, especially here in Yemen.

As a Yemeni who has lived and worked through this crisis, I know that suffering is not a distant headline, it confronts us every day. I see it in the strained expressions of my neighbours, hear it in the despair of families struggling to survive. But amid these painful encounters are moments of profound dignity that stay etched in memory.

I recall a mother who had just received a modest cash assistance package. Her hands held her child tightly. They were visibly malnourished, yet her eyes expressed overwhelming gratitude rather than complaint. In that moment, aid became about more than just food or money; it became about dignity, about making people feel seen and valued.

Another defining moment was my encounter with a displaced father living in a makeshift shelter after losing nearly everything: his home, livelihood, and even family members. Despite his burden, his greatest concern was maintaining his children’s sense of normality. “Even when we have nothing,” he said quietly, “I still make sure my children feel safe, clean, and believe things will get better.” This humble, steadfast courage reshaped my understanding of dignity. Humanitarian work is not merely about distributing aid; it’s about honouring people’s resilience, acknowledging their identity, and protecting the fragile sense of hope they still hold.

Education: Yemen’s silent crisis

While the world rightly recognises and responds to immediate crises like hunger and the need for shelter, Yemen’s overlooked crisis is the systematic erosion of our education system. Schools are emptying, teachers haven’t been paid, and children’s dreams are fading. I remember a classroom without doors or windows, children huddled together sharing torn notebooks. When asked about his dreams, one boy replied earnestly, “I want to be a pilot, but I don’t know if I will ever fly a plane. We can barely eat.”

This stark realisation hit me deeply. Education is not a luxury, it’s the promise of a future. Without schooling, children lose more than knowledge; they lose structure, security, and the ability to envision a better tomorrow. Protecting education is protecting hope itself, yet this urgent truth rarely makes international headlines. That’s why Islamic Relief teams in Yemen are working to rebuild classrooms, train teachers, and create safe learning spaces in some of the hardest-hit communities.

Finding strength in small acts

Humanitarian workers frequently grapple with overwhelming despair. I recall one particularly difficult day, consumed by endless stories of families skipping meals, children leaving school, communities crushed by hardship. The scale of suffering was paralysing.

But what pulled me back was the quiet joy of Eid celebrations. Families smiling because their children had new clothes, or because, for the first time in months, they had meat on their table. I remembered a father weeping quietly with relief as he watched his daughters recover from malnutrition, their laughter a testament to a small triumph. These moments of humanity remind me why this work matters, small gestures can reverberate deeply, sustaining hope amid despair.

Innovating amid challenges

The complexity of Yemen’s crisis which is marked by checkpoints, instability, and dwindling funds, often hampers our physical presence in affected communities. Our office responds creatively, training colleagues in remote areas in photography and storytelling so the voices of the communities we support can be heard. This initiative ensures we can document, communicate, and respond swiftly, preserving transparency and maintaining critical connections even amid logistical nightmares. This adaptive resilience underscores the resourcefulness required to deliver impartial and dignified humanitarian assistance under seemingly impossible circumstances.

Women’s silent strength

Throughout this crisis, I have come to see my fellow Yemeni women quietly shoulder extraordinary burdens. Their courage often lies not in grand gestures, but in daily persistence despite exhaustion, fear, or loss. Witnessing their quiet determination consistently reshapes my understanding of what true bravery looks like.

But some of their strength also comes from Yemen’s extraordinary community solidarity. Where official systems fail, neighbours have stepped forward, sharing limited resources, organising responses, and ensuring no one is abandoned. This local strength profoundly shapes our humanitarian approach, reminding us that true assistance is collaborative, respectful, and humble. Our role is not to lead from above, but to support and amplify the resilience already thriving on the ground.

The world’s shared responsibility

Today, when global attention feels overstretched, and crises rage everywhere, from Gaza to Sudan, solidarity is not a limited resource, it’s our shared responsibility. Acting for humanity means refusing to normalise suffering, no matter how frequent it becomes. It requires compassion, dignity, and fairness, consistently and urgently, even when no one is watching.

Yemen is often misunderstood, painted simplistically as a land of endless conflict and helplessness. In reality, Yemenis are remarkably spirited and resourceful. Our task as humanitarian workers is not to save them, but to stand beside them, preserving dignity, amplifying their voices, and working towards sustainable recovery.

On World Humanitarian Day, let us remember that behind every statistic, there’s a person with a story to tell. That is my job as a communicator. To act for humanity is to remain present, compassionate, and brave, even in the face of immense challenges. This work is not just our choice, but our collective answer to a world that desperately needs humanitarians. May our actions always reflect that calling.

Families in Yemen are fighting for survival every day. With your support, Islamic Relief can deliver life-saving aid to those who need it most. Your donation can help provide food, medicine, and hope to vulnerable communities. Please donate to our International Emergency Appeal today.