Human rights for all Palestinians

Life in Gaza is a constant struggle for the approximately 2.1 million people who call it home. One of the most densely populated places on Earth, the small strip of land has been described as an “open-air prison”.

Its people have lived under a land, sea and air blockade imposed by Israel since 2007. The blockade hampers every aspect of life, from job opportunities to medical treatment, and the situation has only worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 70% of Gaza’s population is unemployed, while 80% are reliant on external aid to survive. More than a quarter of families live in homes that are hazardous to their health.

A generation of young people has been psychologically scarred by prolonged conflict and the blockade. Some children cannot sleep because of nightmares and many young people have said they feel like they have no hope for the future.

In March 2021, an escalation in the conflict brought devastation to Gaza and placed an enormous burden on services that were already stretched to their limit. More than 250 people were killed and nearly 2,000 injured, some of whom will require lifelong care.

Rockets destroyed 300 buildings, including more than 1,100 housing units. Thousands more homes were damaged, as were several hospitals and primary care centres.

Islamic Relief has been working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997, responding to emergencies as well as implementing longer-term projects such as helping more than 2,000 Gaza residents to set up their own businesses or pursue an education.

Among other projects, we have provided clean drinking water to more than 1 million people in schools and health facilities, and repaired and restored over 1,500 homes.

As Islamic Relief and other agencies work to support the people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Israeli authorities are increasingly pursuing different means to intimidate some humanitarian organisations that support Palestinian rights.

In October 2021, six Palestinian civil society organisations were designated as terrorist groups by Israel, in what was the latest move in an ongoing campaign to undermine human rights defenders and restrict the space for their legitimate activities.

Gaza deserves to prosper

In impossibly difficult circumstances, the people of Gaza have shown great resilience, but their dreams continue to be thwarted by the reality of the blockade.

We call for an end to the Israeli occupation and a lasting solution that is rooted in international law and justice, enabling all people in the region to live in peace and safety.

The blockade represents collective punishment of the people of Gaza and must be lifted immediately in line with UN Security Council resolution 1860.

We urge the UN Security Council to pass a new resolution that demands an immediate end to attacks on civilians in the Occupied Palestine Territory and Israel, addresses the injustice and inequality that are at the heart of the situation and calls for an end to the Israeli occupation.

Gaza deserves to prosper and its people deserve to fully enjoy their human rights.

For 25 years, the generosity of our donors has made it possible for Islamic Relief to support vulnerable people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Help us continue our vital work. Donate now.

At least 19 dead from earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan

PAKISTAN, March 24, 2023 – At least 19 people have been killed and more than 200 injured due to an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 with 120 kilometres in depth which struck large parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The incident has damaged buildings, while the main road has been blocked due to landslides.

The tremors were also felt in India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Telecommunication lines in both countries were also affected.

Residents in one of Pakistan residential block have been evacuated, because a huge crack appeared in the building.

The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Islamic Relief staff in Pakistan and Afghanistan are reported safe.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy killed 499 people in Malawi

MALAWI, March 24, 2023 – At least 499 people were killed, 1,332 injured, 427 others were missing and 508,244 people were displaced, due to Tropical Cyclone Freddy that hit Malawi two weeks ago.

The disaster has caused severe flooding and landslides. Roads are flooded and residents’ homes are buried in mud.

About 437 schools were destroyed and damaged, while the electricity poles, transmitters and water pipes damages have caused electricity and water supply has been cut off.

Power outages in Mozambique have affected small villages since last weekend, hindering rescue efforts as people await food and medical assistance.

The President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared a state of emergency in the country.

Islamic Relief staff in Malawi was on ground since last week for need assessment.

The urgent needs that have been identified are, temporary shelters and latrines, tarpaulin or plastic sheet, blankets, sleeping mats, clothes, food, chlorine for water treatment and kitchen utensils.

“I despair of life as a refugee but I cannot return to Syria..”

12 years of conflict in Syria has created the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Nearly 5.6 million registered refugees – including more than 2.6 million children – now live in Egypt, Türkiye, Iraq and Jordan.

As of January 2023, an estimated 1.5 million Syrians were taking refuge in Lebanon. The economic crisis in the country, combined with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Beirut explosion of 2023, has deepened poverty. The poorest and most vulnerable are bearing the brunt – among them, Syrian refugees, of whom a staggering 9 out of 10 are living in extreme poverty.

There are also fewer Syrians in Lebanon with valid legal residency. Those without face difficulties accessing essential basic services and are at risk of deportation.

Among those facing deepening poverty and uncertain futures is Mona.

Fleeing conflict in Syria

Mona is from the Qusayr region of Syria, where until she lived with her husband and children until they were forced to flee their home. When the crisis began, Mona’s husband was arrested. She has not seen him since.

Along with her brother’s orphaned children, Mona fled to the Yabroud region where after just 2 years, more violence and more bombs forced them from Syria to Arsal in Lebanon.

“It is true that in Syria there was bombing, killing, beating, and slaughter, but here in Lebanon our situation has become more difficult and more complicated.” Mona tells us.

“We used to benefit from a United Nations card, but now it has been stopped. We burn shoes and old clothes in the heater to keep warm, and the tent fees have become very expensive, about $30, as well as the electricity bill.

“I am sick and I have breast cancer, and I had a mastectomy, and now I am very tired.”

Mona lives in one of the 12 refugee camps in Lebanon, which offer shelter to 45% of the Syrian refugees in the country. Overcrowding, poor housing conditions, unemployment, poverty and lack of access to justice make living conditions in the camps dire.

“I despair of this life”

Mona and her family’s lives deteriorated further when her son needed surgery to remove tumours from his neck. No support was available to them, and Mona struggled to pay the medical bills.

“I despair of this life. Any money that comes to us I use pay for my son’s doctor, because my son’s health is more important than anything, but now my son’s operation will require $1,000.

“The dollar today is more than 46,000 Lebanese pounds, and a bundle of bread is 26,000 Lebanese pounds. We could not buy coal to use in the heater, so to keep warm we had to use children’s clothes and shoes, leaving them with no clothes left to wear.

“Our situation in Lebanon is very difficult. [But] we cannot return to our country. If we did, I would be surrendering the safety of my children. There is no safety in Syria.”

Islamic Relief has been a lifeline for Mona and her family. Through our orphan sponsorship scheme she receives a regular stipend to help provide for her children. The family have received qurbani meat and Ramadan food parcels, and were among 78,00 people in Lebanon given winter survival items like blankets and warm clothes.

A lifeline in Lebanon

Islamic Relief first started working in Lebanon in 2006, providing those affected by the Lebanon war with food, clean water and essential household items.

Now, we are still on the ground providing shelter, blankets, and fuel to help families like Mona’s, while our orphan sponsorship support thousands of vulnerable children in Lebanon.

With your generous donations, we will continue to support families suffering in the protracted Syrian crisis. Donate to our Save Syria today.

“Islamic Relief saved the lives of many people in Syria, including our son..”

As the Syria crisis enters its 12^th year, the plight of the Syrian people continues to worsen.

Previously described as the “worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II,” by then United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the crisis has devastated the people of Syria.

The crisis has forced an unprecedented number of people to flee their homes in what has become the largest displacement crisis in the world. Nearly 5.6 million registered refugees – including more than 2.6 million children – now live in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Türkiye.

Meanwhile 1.3 million Syrians are seeking safety in Jordan, including Osama, who is from Homs in Western Syria.

Part of a big family

Osama was living as part of a large family unit with his 8 brothers and 3 sisters. But when the crisis began, the close knit-family were ripped apart as they fled the country.

“You lose everyone – not losing them to death, [but because] we were all displaced.” Osama tells us. “I do not wish for any other country go through harm [like that in Syria], because its people go through difficult days.”

Osama initially struggled with life in Jordan.

“We went through a cold winter with heavy rain, and strong winds. As I am a person with a disability, going through those phases was very hard on me, but I had it in me to make it.”

It also took Osama time to get to grips with the differences in the language between Syria and Jordan, but through patience and hard work he was able to settle in Al-Karak and pursue his passions.

Inspiring others with disabilities

Since an early age, Osama’s passion in life has been acting:

“Acting is my passion and my hobby; you will always see me in theatre where I have volunteered alongside humanitarian organisations. When others notice my work coming from someone with a disability, someone who is working, directing, and writing a professional way with a meaningful message to spread, they eventually fall in love with my work. My goal is to give motivate and inspire others with disabilities.”

To fund his passion, Osama took a job working in a shoe shop but still life in Jordan is tough. Sometimes he struggles to afford rent and medication, often Osama is forced to sell items on the street to be able to afford the basics.

During this time, Osama also got married. He now has 2 children, with another on the way.

“I will do anything in my power just to make my family happy, to have a normal life like everyone else and to take them away from all the destruction that I have experienced.”

Due to the spiralling costs of education for his children, Osama needed more help and thankfully, a friend passed along details of the work Islamic Relief is doing to support refugees in Jordan.

Much needed support

Osama had the idea of setting up a home appliance store, where he could sell household items like teacups, plates, trays and cutlery.

After filling out an application form and attending an interview, Osama was accepted into the ‘Enhancing Access to Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods Opportunities for Women and Youth’ programme.

“Directly after the interview they called me and asked me to come for training, can you imagine that? They care about people.

“Islamic Relief train you on how to build your project. We took a course delivered by very intelligent people and we received funding for the project itself, after my work plan was approved. We held a completion ceremony where we received certificates for completing Talal Abu Ghazalieh’s Training Academy.”

After completing his training and receiving funding from Islamic Relief, Osama opened the ‘Rose for Home Appliances’ store, named after his sister, “Although she’s far away from me now, my sister is so dear to my heart.

“In the end, I want to thank Islamic Relief from the bottom of my heart. My wish is that Islamic Relief never stops supporting people – not just for me, but some people are still in need for support and help.”

Islamic Relief remains a lifeline to vulnerable people as Syria marks 12 long, terrible years of crisis. With your support, Islamic Relief will continue our vital work: donate to our Save Syria now.

“I will save my family from the destruction I experienced in Syria..”