Palestinians in Gaza are being forced into ever-shrinking spaces

Israel’s repeated orders for civilians to move around Gaza are inhumane and causing epic human suffering, Islamic Relief says. Sick and wounded patients, elderly people, malnourished infants and people with severe disabilities are among hundreds of thousands ordered to move yet again in the past 10 days. They have nowhere safe to go, and the constant displacement is pushing more people into starvation and making cholera outbreaks increasingly likely.    

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing in terror after Israel ordered people to leave parts of Gaza City in the past 48 hours, forcing people out of school shelters and shutting down hospitals as bombs rain down relentlessly. Last week Israel ordered around 250,000 people to leave Khan Younis in southern Gaza, most of whom are now living in desperate conditions.

The Israeli military has ordered civilians to move to so-called ‘safe zones’ but there is nowhere safe in Gaza and multiple people, including children, have been killed by strikes shortly after arriving in these zones. People are in fatal danger whether they stay or flee, with dozens reported killed today in yet another bombing of a school sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis.

Many of the people ordered to move have been displaced multiple times – they were first ordered to leave their homes and move to Rafah, then ordered to leave Rafah and move to areas such as Khan Younis, and now just weeks later they have been ordered to move yet again.  

The latest mass displacement comes as a new report by UN Independent Experts warns that famine has now spread from northern Gaza into parts of the centre and south, as Israel continues to severely restrict and impede humanitarian aid.

Islamic Relief staff and partners report that many of the most vulnerable people are among those ordered to move, with hungry children, people in wheelchairs, hospital patients and elderly people all forced to flee on foot, with many walking miles in the middle of night to avoid the hot sun during the daytime. Some people are being pushed down the street on hospital beds as hospitals have had to evacuate hundreds of patients who are too sick to stand.  

Every time people have to move they become more vulnerable to starvation and disease. Around 1.9 million people – 80% of Gaza’s entire population – are now trapped in increasingly shrinking parts of Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is becoming more desperate by the day. Many families are sharing tents or sleeping in the open, or in the shells of damaged buildings that could collapse at any moment. There is little food, no clean water and extremely poor sanitation. Islamic Relief staff describe piles of garbage and streams of sewage outside people’s tents, with people having to wade through sewage water to reach food. There are very few toilets so women, girls, boys and men all have to share, leaving no privacy and increasing the risks to women and girls.  

The horrific conditions have resulted in a spike in diseases such as Hepatitis A and acute diarrhoea over the past few weeks and the threat of fatal cholera outbreaks is increasing. Temperatures are rising during summer, making diseases even more likely to spread. 

Islamic Relief continues to provide daily aid to displaced people, including distributing cooked meals and nutritional supplements, constructing latrines, distributing hygiene kits and delivering water.  However, the ongoing attacks and Israeli restrictions on aid means nowhere near enough aid is reaching people in need. Islamic Relief continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and for all crossings into Gaza to be fully opened.

New spread of fighting to southeast Sudan increases threat of famine, Islamic Relief warns

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing new fighting in southeast Sudan, as the war spreads further across the country, with civilians running out of anywhere safe to go.

The new clashes in Sennar State – one of Sudan’s biggest agricultural regions – are increasing the risk of famine across the country and putting a major humanitarian aid hub at risk, Islamic Relief is warning.

More than 60,000 people have fled Sinja town this week as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the area. Heavy fighting is now ongoing in the nearby key city of Sennar, with Islamic Relief staff and other aid workers among thousands who have had to leave the city in recent days due to the extreme insecurity.

Up to 130,000 people are expected to flee Sennar State in the next few days.

Islamic Relief staff report thousands of families now fleeing on foot across the Blue Nile river to try and escape the violence, with large numbers of people now arriving in the already overcrowded eastern Sudan cities of Gedaref and Kassala and many more likely to arrive in the coming days and weeks. Islamic Relief’s team in Gedaref is preparing to provide aid to new arrivals in the city.

There are growing fears that the fighting is now set to spread further east towards Gedaref, which is a key hub for humanitarian staff and supplies. This would be a pivotal moment in the conflict and massively disrupt the humanitarian response at a time when aid is needed more than ever. Islamic Relief staff in Gedaref report huge queues of cars at fuel stations as people stockpile in case they need to quickly abandon the city.

Sennar State was previously considered one of the safest parts of the country, and over the past year hundreds of thousands of civilians had fled here to escape fighting in other regions such as Khartoum and Al Jazira. Many of these people are now having to flee yet again.

Mohammad Sorwar, head of programmes for Islamic Relief in Sudan, says: “People are fleeing Sennar in a desperate state of terror. They’ve fled in a hurry with virtually nothing, and many families have no shelter and are sleeping under the open in the heavy rain. People are walking for days but there are no paved roads between Sennar and Gedaref and the roads have become muddy and difficult to use.

“The war is spreading across the country like a cancer. Many of the people fleeing have been displaced two, three, four or even more times before this, but the war keeps spreading. There are very few safe places left for people to run to. If the fighting reaches Gedaref it will have a devastating impact on aid delivery.”

Sudan is suffering the world’s biggest hunger crisis, with more than 25 million people – over half the country’s population – facing severe hunger and food shortages, and mass starvation imminent in the next three months. The war has forced farmers from their land, destroyed markets and obstructed humanitarian aid.

More than 10 million people are now displaced from their homes and in need of support within Sudan.

Islamic Relief is calling on the international community to step up diplomatic efforts to get parties to the conflict to agree and adhere to a ceasefire, and to urgently increase funding for the humanitarian response. It is calling for parties to the conflict to recommit to peace negotiations, ensure protection of civilians and end the frequent impediments and obstruction of humanitarian aid.

Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan for 40 years, since 1984. In response to the current crisis the organisation has provided aid to more than 830,000 people including food, nutrition, livelihood support, cash, water, sanitation, and healthcare.

An entire generation at risk, as new report shows catastrophic hunger and starvation in Gaza

Israel is systematically starving Palestinians in Gaza, Islamic Relief says as a new IPC* report shows that around half a million people are suffering catastrophic levels of hunger and almost everyone in Gaza is facing acute food shortages.

An entire generation of Palestinian children is at risk, with extreme hunger and malnutrition causing permanent damage such as stunted physical and cognitive development that will affect children for the rest of their lives. The IPC report confirms what Islamic Relief staff and partners in Gaza are seeing every day – hundreds of thousands of people are going entire days and nights without anything to eat at all, with young children and elderly people most vulnerable.

This hunger crisis is entirely man-made, caused by Israel’s ongoing attacks and blockade. Virtually all of Gaza’s own food production has been wiped out and nowhere near enough humanitarian aid is being allowed in as Israel continues to restrict entry of supplies into Gaza and movement of aid convoys within Gaza.

Israel’s assault on Rafah has fuelled starvation even further, with around 1 million people forced to flee yet again and families bombed while seeking aid and shelter. In the past day more civilians have reportedly been killed while seeking refuge in a school and trying to reach aid trucks.

The new IPC report shows that a brief improvement in food security in March and April – when there was a small increase in aid allowed to enter and more food in the markets – is now being reversed, with fatal consequences.

Islamic Relief urges international governments not to wait for an official famine declaration before taking stronger action. Aid agencies have been warning of famine for months, but official famine declarations are extremely rare and usually only come when it is too late. We do not need a famine announcement to know that Palestinians, especially young children, are starving and cannot access sufficient aid.

International initiatives like the sea pier and air drops have been costly distractions while people starve. The only way to ensure people can access sufficient food is through a ceasefire and full unimpeded humanitarian access. International governments must use all the leverage and pressure they can to ensure that happens immediately.

Since the crisis erupted almost 9 months ago, Islamic Relief and partners have distributed more than 23 million ready-to-eat cooked meals to displaced people throughout Gaza and provided nutritional support to thousands of young children, pregnant women and new mothers, as well as other vital aid. However much more is needed.

*The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is the foremost hunger monitoring system, providing evidence-based analysis on food insecurity and malnutrition to inform emergency responses around the world. https://www.ipcinfo.org/ 

Jutaan penduduk Bangladesh terjejas akibat banjir

BANGLADESH, 21 Jun – Kira-kira 1.6 juta orang di daerah Sylhet, Sunamganj dan Moulvibazar terjejas akibat hujan lebat dan banjir kilat yang berlaku dalam tempoh tiga hari lalu.

Islamic Relief bertindak menghulurkan bantuan kecemasan susulan kejadian banjir yang memusnahkan timur laut Bangladesh itu sehingga menenggelamkan penempatan dan menyebabkan ramai penduduk kehilangan tempat tinggal.

Hampir 75% daerah Sylhet kini dinaiki air, dengan lebih separuh daripada tanaman dan kawasan pertanian tenggelam.

“Banyak keluarga, termasuk kanak-kanak kecil dan warga emas, kini tidur di tempat terbuka di tepi jalan, dengan hanya menggunakan plastik untuk melindungi mereka daripada hujan lebat.

“Rumah mereka telah dihanyutkan dan mereka sangat memerlukan makanan, tempat tinggal, dan bantuan lain,” kata Enamul Haque, Pengurus Program Islamic Relief Bangladesh.

Walaupun operasi Islamic Relief sedikit terjejas setelah salah satu pejabatnya ditenggelami banjir, Islamic Relief tetap membuat persiapan untuk mengedarkan makanan kering, kit kebersihan dan baucar tunai sebagai bantuan awal kepada 5,000 orang yang kehilangan tempat tinggal.

Kira-kira 30,000 orang telah dipindahkan ke pusat perlindungan di Sylhet dan Sunamganj dan angka ini djangka meningkat dari masa ke masa.

Secara keseluruhan, 825,000 orang telah terjejas di Sylhet, 650,000 di Sunamganj, dan 193,000 di Moulvibazar. Banjir itu dijangka berterusan untuk tempoh beberapa minggu akan datang berikutan aliran air hulu dari India.

Perseverance amid adversity: A Syrian family’s story on World Refugee Day

In the face of war and displacement, Syrian refugees have shown remarkable resilience. This World Refugee Day, we share the story of Hana* and her family, who have navigated the challenges of displacement with strength and courage.

Leaving everything behind

Hana was once a thriving shop owner in the city of Aleppo. Her life was filled with bustling activity around running her small grocery store, which helped support her family. However, the outbreak of crisis turned her world upside down. Her shop was destroyed, and Hana’s family was forced to flee their home under the cover of night, seeking refuge in Lebanon.

“I remember the night we left,” she recalls. “We could hear the bombs in the distance. We packed what we could carry and just ran.” Hana, her husband Tarek, and their 4 children embarked on a perilous journey, eventually settling in a cramped apartment in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Struggling in a new land

Life in Beirut has been anything but easy. Tarek, a skilled carpenter, struggles to find work, and the family relies heavily on humanitarian aid. Hana’s days are spent caring for their children and trying to make their new home as comfortable as possible. “We lost everything, but we still have each other,” she says. “That’s what keeps us going.”

The psychological toll of displacement has been immense. Hana often finds herself overwhelmed by anxiety and fear for her children’s future. Recognising the need for support, she reached out to local aid organisations. Through Islamic Relief, Hana began attending psychological and social support sessions designed for refugees.

Finding strength in support

“The sessions were a turning point for me,” Hana explains. “I always considered myself strong, but these sessions made me even stronger.” The group therapy sessions provided a safe space for Hana to share her experiences and connect with other women facing similar challenges.

Hana formed close bonds with her fellow participants, creating a network of support that extended beyond the sessions. “We shared our stories, our fears, and our hopes. It was incredibly healing,” she says. The psychological support not only improved Hana’s mental wellbeing, but also gave her practical tools to manage her stress and anxiety.

Tarek’s journey: Rebuilding from ruins

While Hana found solace in the support sessions, Tarek struggled to adapt to their new life. The loss of his livelihood and constant worry about providing for his family weighed heavily on him. However, he found a renewed sense of purpose through a vocational training programme offered by Islamic Relief.

Tarek enrolled in a carpentry workshop, where he could hone his skills and regain his confidence. “Working with my hands again gave me hope,” he says. “It reminded me of who I am and what I’m capable of.” The training not only strengthened Tarek’s carpentry skills, but also provided him with a sense of community and support.

Building a new future

As Hana and Tarek continue to navigate their new lives in Lebanon, they remain hopeful for the future. Their children, inspired by their parents’ resilience, are adjusting well. Their eldest daughter, Lina, dreams of becoming a doctor, while their son, Ahmed, is excelling in his studies.

“I want my children to have the opportunities we never had,” Hana says. “I want them to be safe, to be educated, and to have a future full of possibilities.” With the support of Islamic Relief, Hana and Tarek are working towards rebuilding their lives and providing a better future for their children.

Islamic Relief stands in solidarity #withrefugees

Islamic Relief has been responding to forced migration crises since we began our humanitarian work in 1984, and last year alone provided lifesaving support to around 800,000 refugees.

We are at the forefront of efforts to assist families forced from their homes, including those affected by crises in Syria, Gaza and Sudan, and by devastating droughts in Somalia and Ethiopia.

As well providing lifesaving aid, Islamic Relief strives to address the root causes of displacement, and eases suffering by supporting host and displaced communities and helping communities to adapt to the changing climate.

Hana and Tarek’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of Syrian refugees and highlights the critical need for ongoing humanitarian support to help families rebuild their lives. This World Refugee Day, let us remember the millions of displaced individuals like Hana and Tarek, and reaffirm our commitment to providing the support and resources they need to thrive.

Join us in supporting families who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict and disaster. By donating to Islamic Relief, you can help provide essential resources and empower refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality

IR Malaysia, AKM Pejabat Perdana Menteri Jalin Kerjasama Membina Pemimpin Muda

Dalam usaha untuk membina negara bangsa dalam kalangan belia berkepimpinan, Islamic Relief Malaysia (IR Malaysia) sekali lagi diberi kepercayaan untuk bekerjasama dengan Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM), Pejabat Perdana Menteri bagi mengendalikan modul latihan Volunteer Aspiration & Social Thinking (VAST) buat kali ketiga di dalam program Malaysian Future Leaders School (MFLS) Tier 3 yang dijalankan pada Mei 2024.

Menurut Pengurus di Pejabat Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IR Malaysia, Muhammad Haris Sharim yang juga Pengarah Projek dan Ketua Fasilitator Modul VAST, seramai 150 orang peserta MFLS Tier 3 yang terdiri daripada golongan belia dari seluruh Malaysia telah menyertai modul latihan tersebut.

“Alhamdulillah, tahun ini sekali lagi IR Malaysia terpilih untuk menyampaikan modul VAST yang menekankan aspek kesukarelawanan dalam membangun kepimpinan belia.

“Tujuan program ini diadakan adalah untuk membuka spektrum minda peserta berkenaan sektor kemanusiaan sebagai karier profesional, advokasi dan aktivisme, perkongsian situasi dan pengalaman kemanusiaan serta kesukarelawanan, memahami isu dan permasalahan yang berlaku di persekitaran dan di dalam masyarakat Malaysia serta mengajak peserta untuk berfikir tentang solusi dan usaha kolektif bagi menyelesaikan isu masyarakat.

“Peserta-peserta yang terlibat dalam program ini adalah mereka yang telah melepasi beberapa sesi saringan dan pemilihan,” katanya.

Dalam program tersebut, IR Malaysia bekerjasama rapat dengan AKM, Pejabat Perdana Menteri dan rakan-rakan NGO lain seperti Persatuan Haiwan Malaysia, Generasi Peduli Sampah (GPS) Malaysia, Hara Makers dan Toy Library Malaysia dalam membangun modul pembangunan terhadap para peserta.

“Modul ini memberi pengalaman praktikal kepada para peserta MFLS Tier 3 berkenaan komponen kemanusiaan dan kebajikan dengan membawa pelbagai spektrum isu-isu yang berlaku di sekeliling yang mampu membawa kepada krisis kemanusiaan.

“Para peserta dibimbing untuk memikirkan kaedah ataupun solusi jangka masa panjang supaya isu-isu yang berlaku dapat dikurangkan risikonya. Pemimpin muda perlu diberi pendedahan berkenaan isu yang berkaitan dengan krisis kemanusiaan dalam membangun negara dengan penuh tanggungjawab,” tambah Muhammad Haris.

Pelbagai aktiviti didedahkan kepada setiap peserta seperti program pendidikan kesedaran dan kebajikan haiwan, aktiviti pembersihan pantai dan kaedah mengaudit sampah yang diadakan di Pantai Kelanang, pemahaman terhadap teknologi dan ilmu pengurusan sisa plastik yang efektif di PJ Eco Recycling Centre dan pendedahan menjadi toy inspectors dan toy doctors yang membaiki alat permainan serta memahami falsafah hak bermain sebagai hak asasi kanak-kanak bersama Play Unlimited.

Rata-rata peserta sangat gembira dan menghargai slot kesukarelawanan yang memberi pengalaman baharu serta memberi banyak manfaat kepada mereka.

Muhammad Haris berharap semoga program sebegini dapat diteruskan pada tahun seterusnya dan pengisian yang disampaikan meninggalkan impak berpanjangan dalam usaha untuk memberi kesan positif Lestari kepada sektor kemanusiaan dan alam sekitar melalui advokasi dan aktivisme.

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