SULAWESI, 22 January 2020 – Islamic Relief Indonesia has been distributed three tons of rice, 300 trays of egg, 300 tarpaulins, 300 food packs, 600 blankets, 300 hand soaps, 300 boxes of masks, and 300 bottles of hand sanitizer to those affected in Ratetonda and Mekkata village due to an earthquake that hit West Sulawesi.

Fifty nine IDP centers have been set up in Mamuju and 20 in the Majene area. Meanwhile, there are four villages in Malunda district, Majene being inaccessible and only can be reached by helicopter.

Two NGO workers have been reportedly positive for Covid-19.

As a result, the government has requested that whoever wants to deliver humanitarian assistance to West Sulawesi, they need to do screening using rapid test antigen that has been provided to prevent the outbreak from becoming worst.

SUDAN, 20 January 2021 – As of January 18, Sudan’s Government Commissioner for Refugees (COR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 59,130 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the border into Sudan and registered under the agencies.

Islamic Relief has been delivered 240 sets of kitchen utensils to Gadaref, meanwhile construction work to build latrine facilities in Um Raquba camp is still going on.

SULAWESI, 18 January 2020 – At least 73 people died, 743 wounded and 850 people were displaced to 25 IDP centers in Mamuju and Majene, West Sulawesi due to a 6.2 magnitude earthquake.

Islamic Relief Indonesia is on the ground to help those affected in collaboration with KARSA Institute.

Around 400 beneficiaries in Tantedoda village, Tappalang and Mamuju were benefited from the assistance and get blankets, tarpaulins, food, mineral water, face masks, hand sanitizers, and some other essential items.

According to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorological Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), there was a quake that struck happened on 16 January in the Majene region with 5.0 magnitude.

The local authorities have asked all residents nearest the place to be prepared and pay extra careful because the repeated shock might happen again.

SUDAN, 18 January 2020 – As of January 6, Sudan’s Government Commissioner for Refugees (COR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that there are 56,548 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the border into Sudan and registered under the agencies.

Currently, Islamic Relief is actively providing assistance to Ethiopian refugees and already managed to distribute 1,280 hygiene kits at Um Raquba Camp under Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) project and also 240 non-food items (NFI) assistance were sent to Gadaref state, Sudan.

The Project manager and coordinator for the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector have met UNHCR and COR representatives to finalize the right location to build latrine facilities in Um Raquba and Tunaydbah camp.

The project has been started last week.

The cleaning campaign committees distributed 4,050 aqua tablets to the refugees after conducting a briefing session on purpose of the tablets and how to use them.

SUDAN, 6 January 2021 – As of December 30, Sudan’s Government Commissioner for Refugees (COR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that there are 55,128 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the border into Sudan and registered under the agencies.

Islamic Relief has distributed 1,350 hygiene kits to refugees at Um Raquba camp, Sudan and also identifying several locations in that area for further assistance.

Meanwhile, in the Tunaydbhah camp area, the coordinator for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector has come along with their representatives to inspect the area to build latrine facilities.

There were 200 refugees have been relocated to Tunaydbhah camp from various areas.

Islamic Relief also submitted the proposal of an educational project to UNHCR and UNICEF to support Ethiopian refugee children which are the second largest group for the whole Ethiopian refugees.

An inter-faith initiative between Islamic Relief Sweden, the Church of Sweden and the Stockholm mosque has been announced as the recipient of this year’s prestigious Martin Luther King Award in Sweden.

The Goda Grannar consortium – the Swedish term for Good Neighbours – was praised by the award’s jury for bringing faiths together and “inspiring us all to move from words to deeds and promote democratic coexistence.”

The consortium was formed in 2015 after a large influx of refugees arrived in Stockholm from war-affected countries such as Syria. Working with community volunteers, the consortium initially provided nearly 4,000 new arrivals with shelter in churches and the mosque. It has since expanded and now provides a wider range of services for refugees including “language cafés”, guidance on Swedish society and legal advice.

“This award is for all the volunteers who have contributed their time, commitment, big heart and expertise to create a more humane society,” said Fredrika Gårdfelt, priest in the Katarina parish of the Swedish church.

Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary-General of Islamic Relief Sweden, said: “We are very proud and happy that Goda Grannar is receiving this award. Unfortunately, there are strong polarizing forces in the world and in Sweden today, which makes initiatives that show the importance of cooperation across religions all the more critical. We hope to continue this work for a long time to come.”

On announcing the award, the jury said:

“Martin Luther King once said, ‘The ones who love peace have to learn to organize as efficiently as the ones who love war’.

“Among other reasons, it was war that caused a large number of refugees to seek asylum in Sweden in 2015. One group which organised rigorously to provide them with a good reception was Goda Grannar, which emerged in the middle of Stockholm at the initiative of Katarina parish, Stockholm mosque and Islamic Relief Sweden. In a time characterized by increased polarization and less common ground, Goda Grannar stands as a good example of the strength of working together.

“Cooperation and trust in each other lead the way to common solidarity and drive for action. The consortium proves that it is possible to come from different backgrounds, and yet respect each other’s culture and religion, and be able to work together for a better society. Our award winner is a role model in welcoming and taking advantage of a wide range of competencies. Community members and professionals are invited to contribute with their special knowledge and skills.

“Martin Luther King encouraged us to turn our frustration over injustices into energy to create the world we want to see. The vigorous initiatives of Goda Grannar inspire us all to move from words to actions and promote democratic coexistence. This is an example of using common sense for rigorous planning for peace by actively living the words “together” and “welcome”. The award committee believes that the project shows an intense but low-key constructive force that strengthens humanity and compassion and reduces injustice in the true spirit of Martin Luther King.”

 

About the Martin Luther King Award:

The Martin Luther King Award is awarded by the Equmenia Church, The Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SweFOR) and the Christian Council of Sweden. It is awarded in the spirit of Martin Luther King to celebrate his legacy of hope and reconciliation.