Islamic Relief is scaling up its support for humanitarian partner organisations working on the ground to provide vital aid to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the conflict in Myanmar to Cox’s Bazar in neighbouring Bangladesh.

We are pleased to announce PULSE Bangladesh as our first local partner, approved by the Bangladeshi authorities to work in this current crisis in the Cox’s Bazar camps. Thanks to PULSE and other partners, we are scaling up the emergency response programmes we fund to reach a total of 300,000 people or around 50,000 families in the next few weeks – with food packs, shelter and hygiene supplies.

Islamic Relief’s Head of Asia, Masud Siddique, says:

“We could not have responded to this crisis on such a scale without the generous support of so many donors around the world. We are delighted that with PULSE we are working with a local partner that is experienced in working in Cox’s Bazar and aware of the acute needs of the displaced population. This partnership will help us widen our reach in this severe humanitarian crisis.

“In the coming months, we will identify a variety of locations where we can work with PULSE Bangladesh to serve those who need our support the most, while also building the capacity of PULSE to deliver aid well into the future during emergencies such as this.”

Alongside this partnership we will also be funding a number of international aid organisations to deliver emergency aid to those people that have fled Myanmar into Bangladesh since August 2017.

 

Notes for editor

Islamic Relief works in over 30 countries around the world delivering long-term, sustainable programmes to help communities lift themselves out of poverty and acting to save lives during humanitarian crises.

We have a long and proud history of working in Bangladesh since 1991. We have delivered emergency assistance as well as development projects that include a major focus on developing communities, helping them to lift themselves out of poverty and safeguard against natural disasters. These projects include an award-nominated, UK Government-funded climate change project. Over the past 26 years we’ve stood firm beside the people of Bangladesh and supported them through all major disasters such as floods, cyclones and droughts.

 

Source: Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW)

Islamic Relief in Kosova has finalised the project ‘Access to Clean Water’, which provides the local population of Kamenice Municipality with access to clean and drinkable water.

The water system will provide access to 65 households with around 400 residents, including 120 children under 14 years old.

There are now more than 65 million people in the world who have been forced from their homes due to conflict or disaster (UNHCR), many of them struggling to meet their basic needs of food, water, shelter and access to essential services. However, the psychological trauma of their displacement is less visible, and often overlooked.

A generation of young people have had their lives uprooted, and Islamic Relief is deeply concerned about the long-term impact on their mental health. Our projects engage vulnerable children and adolescents, particularly those who are out of school, those suffering neglect, orphans and survivors of violence. Some of these children suffer from nightmares and bedwetting, for others the symptoms are more severe.

Islamic Relief’s care programme includes providing safe spaces for women and children, and running activities such as play, music, drama, art therapy, sports and open days. Since the start of the Syrian conflict, we have provided psychosocial support to over 10,000 children, but with more than eight million children affected by the crisis, our work has only just begun.

 

“I tried to put an end to this miserable life”

For Kamar, a 24-year-old Syrian mother of two, an Islamic Relief psychosocial support programme did nothing less than save her life. She managed to escape Syria alive, but like so many refugees, everything she had previously lived for had been shattered. Kamar struggled with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depression Disorder (MDD) that almost led her to take her own life.

“I felt sorrow, suffering alone with no assistance, with my two children. I tried several times to kill myself or to kill my own children to put an end to this miserable life,” she told Islamic Relief.

After Kamar’s home in Aleppo was bombed, she made a dangerous journey to escape. Passing through a sea of dead bodies, she witnessed her father being murdered as she held her young daughter Doha close, covering her eyes. Kamar managed to escape and settle in Lebanon, but the trauma left her incapable of giving her children a safe, loving home. Instead, she became prone to anger and physical abuse.

Islamic Relief intervened with 11 specialist sessions of psychotherapy and through a combination of counselling and temporary medication, she was able to overcome her trauma by 95%. She regained control of her anxiety and developed relaxation techniques.

“The psychotherapist was highly supportive and friendly,” she said. “My anger toward my family is still there, but at lower frequency. The sessions were very positive for me.”

Kamar is now able to hug her children and give them the affection they need. Now, they too can begin to heal.

 

The following is an excerpt from an article posted in the CBS Las Vegas in Oct 2017: 

 

“LAS VEGAS (KXNT) – A group based out of Virginia called Islamic Relief USA will donate $10,000 to a fund to help the families of the victims of the mass shooting last week near the strip.

The October 1 shooting killed nearly 60 people and injured more than 500 people.

“Words cannot explain the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history that took place last Sunday at an outdoor event,” said Sharif Aly, interim CEO at Islamic Relief USA. “The pain runs very deep. Islamic Relief USA’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the victims’ families. We also want to help in the healing process, supporting those who were physically or emotionally impacted by this horrific attack,” Aly said.

The donation will go to the Islamic Foundation of Nevada, which is in charge of disbursing the funds. The money will go to pay for medical bills and funeral expenses, among other things. ”

 

Source: CBS Las Vegas

 

 

-Mexico was struck by a powerful earthquake on Tuesday 19th September.

-The quake hit at 13.14 local time (18.14 GMT)