Angka Cedera Gempa Bumi Haiti Menghampiri 10,000

HAITI, 23 Ogos 2021 – Hampir 10,000 orang cedera manakala masih ramai lagi dilaporkan hilang dalam insiden gempa bumi berukuran 7.2 magnitud yang menggegarkan Haiti Sabtu lalu.

Menurut Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB), dianggarkan 500,000 kanak-kanak kini berdepan kekangan akses kepada makanan, air bersih dan tempat perlindungan.

Kerja-kerja menyelamatkan penduduk terjejas sedang tergendala berikutan masalah hujan lebat yang berpunca daripada ribut tropika.

Agensi bantuan kemanusiaan juga berdepan kesukaran untuk masuk ke kawasan yang paling teruk terjejas dan tidak dapat menghantar barisan petugas dengan kadar segera ekoran masalah pengangkutan disebabkan penularan wabak COVID-19.

Islamic Relief bakal melaksanakan kerja-kerja bantuan pemulihan di Haiti bagi membantu penduduk terjejas.

Zahirkan Solidariti Anda Sempena Hari Kemanusiaan Sedunia

Sambutan Hari Kemanusiaan Sedunia pada tanggal 19 Ogos diambil sempena memperingati kejadian pengeboman ibu pejabat Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) di Hotel Canal di Baghdad, Iraq pada tahun 2003.

Tarikh ini diangkat sebagai tanda ingatan juga penghargaan kepada petugas kemanusiaan dan kumpulan sukarelawan yang sanggup mengorbankan masa, tenaga, wang ringgit serta ada yang terpaksa menggadaikan nyawa demi membantu mereka yang memerlukan di seluruh dunia.

Mereka adalah wira yang tidak didendang. Bukan populariti mahupun kemegahan nama yang dikejar, tetapi sifat altruisme yang kuat di mana prinsip suka mengutamakan kebajikan dan kebahagiaan orang lain menjadi penguat semangat dalam menggalas tanggungjawab ini.

“Medan yang perlu dibantu sangat banyak. Ianya seperti satu lautan yang luas sedangkan usaha kita mungkin hanya sekadar segelas air sahaja. Disebabkan itu, gerak kerja bantuan perlu terus diperkukuhkan dengan mengambil semangat ‘fastabiqul khairat’ agar 850 juta orang di seluruh dunia yang sedang tidur dalam kelaparan ketika ini berjaya dibantu,” kata Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Menurut laporan Hal Ehwal Kemanusiaan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNOCHA), seramai lebih 235 juta orang di seluruh dunia memerlukan bantuan kemanusiaan dan perlindungan pada tahun ini.

Sebagai organisasi kemanusiaan antarabangsa, kakitangan dan kumpulan sukarelawan Islamic Relief sentiasa terdedah dengan pelbagai cabaran dan situasi merbahaya sama ada melibatkan bencana alam mahupun konflik peperangan.

Namun, ia sama sekali tidak pernah mematahkan semangat masing-masing untuk terus menyantuni golongan rentan.

“Saya telah berkhidmat bersama Islamic Relief lebih daripada 16 tahun. Dalam tempoh itu, pelbagai situasi kecemasan dan peperangan telah saya lalui di sini. Tiada tempat yang selamat di Gaza. Bedilan bom berlaku di mana-mana. Dalam sekelip mata, kami boleh terpisah antara satu sama lain.

“Kebanyakan serangan berlaku secara tiba-tiba dan sukar dijangka. Boleh jadi hari ini kita menziarahi penerima manfaat dan beramah mesra dengan kanak-kanak di sini, tetapi apabila Gaza diserang dalam satu atau dua hari selepas itu, tempat yang kita kunjungi telah musnah manakala kanak-kanak yang kita temui pada awalnya yang berkongsi cita-cita untuk menjadi orang berguna bila dewasa pula, mungkin sudah tiada atau sedang terlantar di rumah sakit ekoran serangan yang berlaku,” luah salah seorang kakitangan Islamic Relief Palestin di Gaza.

Tahun ini, Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu memberi penekanan mengenai krisis perubahan iklim yang memberi kesan yang sangat cepat terutama kepada golongan rentan di seluruh dunia dan mengajak masyarakat untuk sama-sama menunjukkan solidariti bagi membantu jutaan penduduk yang kehilangan tempat tinggal, diancam kebuluran serta dihimpit pelbagai lagi isu lain menerusi slogan #TheHumanRace yang boleh digunakan dalam ‘posting’ di media sosial masing-masing.

Matlamatnya tidak lain untuk membela nasib mereka yang sangat terjejas ketika ini, serta memastikan tiada seorang pun yang akan ketinggalan atau dipinggirkan.

Meskipun saat ini seluruh dunia masih lagi berperang dengan pandemik COVID-19, namun sifat empati dan keprihatinan masyarakat masih berada di tahap yang tinggi.

Buktinya, Islamic Relief secara global telah membantu lebih daripada 11 juta orang di 43 buah negara melalui perlaksanaan lebih daripada 500 projek kemanusiaan sepanjang tahun 2020.

Bagi Islamic Relief Malaysia pula, seramai 51,404 orang penerima manfaat di dalam negara dan 189,208 penerima manfaat di luar negara berjaya disantuni sepanjang tahun 2020 hasil sumbangan dan sokongan rakyat Malaysia sendiri.

Dijangkakan, jumlah penerima manfaat yang berjaya dibantu bagi tahun 2021 akan meningkat lebih daripada tahun lalu ekoran sambutan menggalakkan yang diterima daripada para penyumbang yang sudi berkongsi rezeki meskipun diri sendiri sedang diuji.

“Setiap agama pastinya menggalakkan kita berbuat kebaikan dan berkasih sayang. Peperangan dan keganasan bukan jalan penyelesaian tepat bagi sesuatu masalah. Saya percaya Tuhan mahukan kita semua hidup secara aman damai tanpa pergaduhan, diskriminasi dan sebagainya.

“Dalam usaha untuk memastikan tiada lagi golongan yang tertindas atau terpinggir, kita perlu sama-sama membantu tanpa mengira kaum, agama atau apa jua bentuk perbezaan. Kita boleh menghulurkan bantuan mengikut kemampuan dan kapasiti masing-masing. Berkongsi mesej positif juga dikira sebagai tanda sokongan kita dalam memperjuangkan isu-isu kemanusiaan,” kata Dr. Soo Wincci, Ikon Kemanusiaan Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Tambahnya, walau sekecil mana pun sumbangan yang kita berikan, percayalah ia akan dibalas dengan ketenangan dan nasib yang baik.

Semoga sambutan Hari Kemanusiaan Sedunia tahun ini dapat menyuntik semangat lebih ramai lagi orang untuk turut serta melibatkan diri dalam kerja-kerja kebajikan dan menyokong pelaksanaan program bantuan kemanusiaan sama ada di dalam mahupun di luar negara.

Masih Ada Yang Peduli

“Selama lebih 40 tahun pakcik tinggal di sini, inilah kali pertama program korban dilaksanakan di kawasan ini. Tak sangka masih ada yang peduli tentang kami” – luahan penerima manfaat Rezeki Qurban.

Tahun ini merupakan tahun kedua kita meraikan sambutan Aidiladha dalam suasana pandemik.

Meskipun begitu, tuntutan dalam melaksanakan ibadah korban tetap terus dijalankan mengikut prosedur operasi standard (SOP) yang telah ditetapkan oleh pihak kerajaan dan agensi berkenaan.

Bagi Islamic Relief Malaysia pula, pelaksanaan ibadah korban bukan hanya sekadar untuk menzahirkan kesyukuran kita atas nikmat yang dikurniakan Allah, malahan ia lebih kepada menjadi jawapan bagi doa-doa penerima manfaat yang hanya dapat merasai nikmat juadah daging sekali dalam setahun atau mungkin sekali seumur hidup.

“Pakcik sudah tinggal di Pulau Jampiras ini kira-kira 43 tahun. Selama kami tinggal di sini, inilah kali pertama ada pihak luar yang datang dan menjalankan ibadah korban serta mengedarkan daging korban kepada kami. Kami rasa sangat terharu dan berterima kasih sangat kepada semua yang menyumbang dan membantu kami.

“Tak sangka masih ada yang peduli akan nasib kami walaupun kami bukan penduduk tempatan,” kata penerima manfaat program Rezeki Qurban di Sandakan, Sabah.

Komuniti yang tinggal di Pulau Jampiras merupakan penduduk bukan warganegara atau ‘stateless’.

Selain sumbangan daging korban, Islamic Relief Malaysia dengan kerjasama Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) telah menyantuni penduduk di kawasan Skim Penempatan Masyarakat Pelarian (SPMP) ini dengan bantuan pek makanan dan kit kesihatan seperti pelitup muka serta pencuci tangan menerusi program bantuan Covid-19.

Hikmah Di Sebalik Covid-19

Meskipun pandemik yang melanda telah melumpuhkan ekonomi dunia serta menjejaskan pendapatan banyak pihak namun keprihatinan masyarakat kita dalam berkongsi rezeki masih di tahap yang tinggi.

Di media sosial khususnya, jika ada sahaja kisah kemiskinan yang tular, pasti keluarga yang terbabit akan segera dihubungi dan bantuan akan sampai dengan pantas.

Sesungguhnya ujian yang datang telah mengajar kita supaya sentiasa memberi tanpa menunggu kaya kerana kita sama-sama pernah merasai sukarnya hidup saat tidak punya apa-apa.

Dari sudut pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) pula, respon dan sokongan yang diterima daripada masyarakat tidak pernah putus walaupun ada individu yang dahulunya penyumbang, namun kini sudah bertukar status menjadi penerima ekoran masalah dibuang kerja dan sebagainya.

“Alhamdulillah, seramai 1,390 keluarga B40 dan ke bawah bersamaan hampir 7,000 penerima manfaat berjaya disantuni dengan sumbangan 1 – 2 kilogram daging korban sempena sambutan Hari Raya Aidiladha melibatkan penyembelihan 21 ekor lembu di semenanjung dan Sabah, hasil sumbangan daripada MBSB Bank dan pelaksanaan korban peserta.

“Jumlah ini sangat jauh daripada sasaran awal kami dan saya mewakili keluarga besar Islamic Relief ingin mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia atas sokongan yang diberikan menerusi sumbangan dan penyertaan ibadah korban melalui kempen Rezeki Qurban #zahirkankesyukuran anjuran Islamic Relief Malaysia pada tahun ini,” kata Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Proses gerak kerja edaran daging korban yang telah dijalankan mendapat kerjasama daripada Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN), Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), MyAmal Sabah, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah (JHEAINS), ketua komuniti setempat, ahli persatuan penduduk dan kumpulan sukarelawan. Bagi agihan di Kuala Lumpur, ianya turut mendapat kebenaran dari pihak Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI).

Antara lokasi penerima manfaat edaran daging korban di Malaysia ialah di Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Seri Malaysia, Perumahan Awam (PA) Seri Sabah 3A, Perumahan Awam (PA) Seri Sabah 3B, Rumah Panjang Jalan Ikan Emas, Kuala Lumpur; Pulau Jampiras, Sandakan; Kampung Bungaliu, Tamparuli; Kampung Sambah, Tenghilan; Kampung Tambulion, Kota Belud; Kampung Perpaduan Ria, Kampung Simpang Mengayau, Kampung Matunggong, Sekolah Tahfiz di Kudat dan Kampung Penangah di Tongod, Sabah.

Untuk makluman, Islamic Relief Malaysia pada awalnya menyasarkan 943 penyertaan bahagian korban yang akan diagihkan kepada penerima manfaat di 28 buah negara seperti Yaman, Somalia, Palestin dan banyak lagi namun dengan sambutan yang amat menggalakkan, penyertaan telah meningkat sehingga jumlah bahagian korban mencapai 1,389 bahagian.

Tiada Daya Dan Pilihan, Inilah Realiti Hidup Warga Pelarian Dan Penduduk di Negara Konflik

“Harga daging sangat mahal. Satu kilogram daging dijual pada harga lebih RM65 sedangkan gaji suami saya hanya RM20 sahaja sehari.

“Menu daging memang tiada dalam juadah kami sepanjang tahun kecuali pada hari raya Aidiladha. Itu pun sekiranya kami terpilih sebagai penerima bantuan sumbangan daging korban.

“Kehadiran perayaan Aidiladha memberi makna besar buat kami sekeluarga. Sepanjang tahun saya dan suami akan berdoa dan berharap agar ada rezeki daging korban untuk anak-anak kami khususnya,” kata Samrat Baker Badwan, penduduk Gaza, Palestin.

Tiga daripada sembilan orang anak Samrat disahkan menghidap penyakit darah rendah dan mengalami masalah tumbesaran terbantut akibat kekurangan nutrisi.

Kemiskinan yang menghimpit menyebabkan Samrat terpaksa mengambil keputusan untuk menghentikan pemeriksaan kesihatan anak-anaknya kerana dia sedar tiada apa yang akan berubah.

Dia tidak mampu untuk menyediakan makanan seimbang dan vitamin tambahan untuk anak-anaknya seperti yang disarankan oleh doktor.

Perit, namun inilah realiti yang menunjukkan betapa besarnya impak sumbangan daging korban bagi kebanyakan penerima manfaat program Qurban Islamic Relief di negara bergolak.

“We’re making sure displaced people aren’t left behind in the race against climate change in Bangladesh”

This World Humanitarian Day highlights the immediate human cost of the climate crisis and calls on world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world’s most vulnerable people. With the theme #TheHumanRace, the focus is on the race against time and the need for everyone to work together to reach the finishing line – leaving no one behind.

Sharmin Ruba, who works in Bangladesh for Islamic Relief, reports on the effects of climate change in the country and our work to reach the most vulnerable people.

Globally, the scale of climate migration is on the rise already, as people flee the devastating effects of climate change. Droughts, crop failure, erosion and rising seas are predicted to fuel an acceleration in the numbers of people uprooted from their homes, with predictions that ecological threats and armed conflict could have displaced over 1 billion people by 2050. Near the equator, parts of the Earth could become too hot for human habitation.

Intensifying extreme weather in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is no stranger to disasters and heavy storms, particularly in monsoon season, but the frequency and intensity of extreme weather such as cyclones is getting worse, and the recurrence of disasters gives little time to recover from previous events.

In 2020 a third of Bangladesh was under water, owing to an abnormally strong monsoon season intensified by rising sea-surface temperatures. In addition, the country is regularly experiencing devastating cyclones, floods and riverbank erosion.

The world’s largest refugee settlement

Bangladesh faces complex humanitarian emergencies. Since 2017, over 1 million Rohingya Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) have fled to Bangladesh and are living in the world’s largest refugee settlement, at Cox’s Bazar.

In February I visited Cox’s Bazar for an official meeting after a long hiatus. Cox’s Bazar was always very fascinating to me and I visited every year, enjoying the scenic beauty of the world’s longest sea beach that slopes gently down into the Bay of Bengal.

I used to take the marine drive way, and could not help but be mesmerised by the surroundings: the roads and the iconic beach on one side and lush green hills on the other, forming a beautiful contrast.

I hadn’t been since 2012, and anyone travelling there would be forgiven for thinking the Cox’s Bazar of 9 years ago and Cox’s Bazar of today are totally different places. Cox’s Bazar was home to significant areas of protected forest and an important wildlife habitat. The trees which gave the hills their beautiful green colour have been chopped down to provide fuel and many of the hills have been demolished.

Climate change is causing the more frequent and intense cyclones and flooding that threaten both Bangladeshis and the FDMN refugees, among the most vulnerable people in the world. Already living with ongoing uncertainty, refugees face flooding and landslides destroying their shelters and displacing them once again.

Providing support and solutions

To help ease the crowding the Bangladesh Government is relocating 100,000 refugees at an island in the Bay of Bengal, 37km away from the mainland and 6km away from Sandwip. It has given the opportunity to build better weather resistant shelters. The government has beautifully constructed 1,440 buildings, including cyclone shelters. The houses have been built four feet above the ground for added protection.

Bhashan Char is criss-crossed by several small canals and there is a forest. I did not get the opportunity to visit the island, though Islamic Relief has ensured food security and survival items for the relocated people. Islamic Relief is also taking care of their fuel needs, providing them with 5,400 LPG gas cylinders.

Giving families a source of fuel means they don’t have to cut down trees, which helps tackle deforestation.

Islamic Relief has also had several meetings with government officials to conduct a feasibility study into the livelihood opportunities here. This will create income generating activities for displaced people, potentially including tree plantation, kitchen gardens, poultry and cattle rearing, fishing and tailoring. By growing vegetables the island will become more green, which eventually will be a natural barrier like Sundarban.

In the race against the climate crisis, we can’t leave anyone behind – and I believe that our work will help bring significant improvement to people’s lives.

#TheHumanRace against climate change

World Humanitarian Day is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and humanitarian partners.

With this year’s theme of The Human Race there is a global challenge for climate action in solidarity with people who need it the most. To find out more go to https://2021.worldhumanitarianday.org

Islamic Relief works on the frontlines of climate change, providing lifesaving and life-changing support in vulnerable communities, and campaigns for bold action to tackle the climate emergency. This World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to our dedicated colleagues and supporters who make possible this work. With your support, we can do more: please donate today.

“East Africa is losing its once abundant natural resources to climate change, with devastating effects. We must not lose this race.”

The theme of this year’s World Humanitarian Day is #TheHumanRace, highlighting the race against time to beat climate change and the immediate consequences for the world’s most vulnerable people. In the race against the climate crisis, we can’t leave anyone behind.

Gloria Nthenya Kivuva, who works for Islamic Relief Worldwide in East Africa, reflects here on the changes she has seen due to climate change and her hopes for the future.

Climate change has become a reality of today and tomorrow. On August 19, the thirteenth-year commemorating World Humanitarian Day, I cannot help but reflect on the human cost of climate change.

Worldwide, the number of people at risk has been growing for decade. According to a report by The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, since the 1990s there has been an increase of almost 35 per cent in the average number of climate and weather-related disasters per decade. A staggering 83 per cent of all disasters in the last 10 years were caused by extreme weather events such as floods, storms and heatwaves. Over 410,000 people have lost their lives, while an incredible 1.7 billion people have been affected.

On the frontlines of climate change in East Africa

Working for Islamic Relief in East Africa, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of extreme weather events here in Kenya, where I live and work.

A country once abundant in savannah, highlands, lakes and rivers, Kenya’s natural wealth of resources is depleting as weather patterns change. We are now experiencing prolonged colder weather, unreliable rainfall and higher temperatures.

It is a constant state of crisis as emergency follows emergency.

Communities in Kenya’s north and coastal regions experience sweltering heat as temperatures reach 400C and drought, followed by flash floods and erratic rainfall. Competition for limited natural resources frequently results in conflict. And, in 2020, an outbreak of locust swarms also ravaged crops and vegetation.

Embed video: Supporting livelihoods in Kenya’s rural communities – YouTube

A matter of life and death

Climate change is a matter of life and death for vulnerable people. Loss of livelihoods and homes, crop failure, dried up riverbeds, displacement and communities pushed to the brink of starvation is all too familiar, fuelling poverty and conflict. Farmers are faced with the heart-breaking dilemma whether to feed themselves or their livestock, often choosing the latter.

The voices of those who have suffered echo in my ears.

In the heart of the country’s arid region is Mandera, located at the border of Somalia and Kenya. The majority of families are farmers who depend on animals for their livelihood. While on my first field visit to Mandera, I met with Mohamed and his scrawny livestock herd.

He had lost goats and was determined to search for pasture and water for his remaining animals. Unable to walk, he used his remaining savings to hire a vehicle to transport his frail animals to a watering spot in the hope that his livelihood could be saved until the next rainy season.

The harrowing cry of the resistant camels in search of water at a watering hole filled the air.

In Wajir County, community members were quick to show me a giraffe carcass stuck in a hole that had been dug near a borehole with no watering trough, evidence of its struggle to quench its thirst.

In Kilifi County at the Kenyan coast, River Sabaki broke its banks following heavy rainfall leaving hundreds of families homeless and camping at the Garashi Chief’s Camp. The raging floods swept away herds of animals and crops ready for harvesting resulting in a humanitarian crisis with thousands of people in dire need of relief food, shelter, clean water and sanitation facilities. The people of Garashi are still unable to grow crops as sand was heavily deposited on their farms.

Climate action involves local solutions using modern techniques

Islamic Relief is working closely with communities to help them adapt to the changes caused by increasingly extreme weather events. We use green energy to boost access clean water, food security, livelihoods and improved access to education to lift communities out of poverty.

Since 2018, Islamic Relief has worked with the Moyale Sub-County Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to promote food production in Dabel. Solar-powered irrigation facilities were installed. We set up farmer groups and trained them to adapt their farming methods to climate change. Some 300 farmers also received assorted drought-resistant seeds and farm tools.

The community was introduced to diversification of sources of income to adapt to the long-term challenge of climate change. They are now growing various types of crops for eating and selling, and producing high-quality honey. In a restocking initiative, Galla goats – a hardy breed – were introduced, resulting in multiplied herds of drought resistant goats, providing children with nutritious milk, and more to sell.

Climate action must be inclusive

Women bear higher poverty and food insecurity levels during disasters because of their limited or lack of control over assets. To ensure the initiatives we deliver are sustainable, we prioritise marginalised groups. Islamic Relief recognises young people’s and women’s roles in climate action. Our projects empower women to take part in decision-making.

More efforts towards disaster risk reduction

The climate emergency is worsening at an alarming rate and the least deserving bear the greatest brunt. To reduce the impact of the disasters on vulnerable people, humanitarian responses such as early warning systems must be launched before any anticipated extreme weather events.

Communities in Kenya continue to display resilience when empowered with resources and knowledge. They remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to improve their living conditions despite the competition for dwindling natural resources.

A race against the clock

My hope is renewed by the many stories of resilience, increased income and overall improved family livelihoods. But our communities deserve more significant action towards poverty eradication, reduction of carbon footprint and actions to mitigate further destruction of our climate by those with a tremendous responsibility for the climate breakdown.

The human toll of climate change is too high.

Compassion, custodianship and social justice afford us the responsibility to accelerate and intensify the actions needed for a low carbon future and ensure that everyone in the world has access to their basic needs – as a minimum.

Islamic Relief works on the frontlines of climate change, providing lifesaving and life-changing support in vulnerable communities, and campaigns for bold action to tackle the climate emergency. This World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to our dedicated colleagues and supporters who make possible this work. With your support, we can do more: please donate today.

Gempa Bumi 7.2 Magnitud Gegar Haiti

HAITI, 17 Ogos 2021 – Sekurang-kurangnya 1,419 orang maut manakala 6,000 lagi cedera dalam kejadian gempa bumi berskala 7.2 magnitud di Haiti Sabtu lalu.

Insiden itu telah memusnahkan kediaman penduduk dan banyak bangunan termasuk hotel dan gereja.

Kejadian ini nyata menambah tekanan berganda buat Haiti dan penduduk setempat yang terlibat bencana gempa kerana mereka sememangnya sudah tertekan dengan masalah kekurangan makanan, penularan COVID-19, ketidakstabilan politik dan dijangkakan ribut tropika bakal melanda dalam masa terdekat.

Laluan masuk di beberapa kawasan masih lagi sukar ekoran runtuhan jambatan dan ancaman pengganas.

Antara keperluan mendesak yang telah dikenalpasti ialah bantuan perubatan, makanan, minuman, sanitasi dan kebersihan.

Islamic Relief kini sedang mengumpul maklumat terkini dan bersiap siaga untuk menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan.