Increased tensions on the Pakistani-Indian border have caused 11,000 families to flee.

Over the last two days Islamic Relief has delivered 300 food packs to feed 1,500 people who have fled their homes in the Upper Neelum Valley.

It’s believed thousands of families living along the border line have left their homes behind and moved towards nearby towns.

Some are staying with family members, while others are seeking shelter in government-allocated buildings.

Sakina, a widow and mother-of-five (pictured right), is taking shelter in a mosque with her children after their home was destroyed by shelling.

She said: “I am really worried about the safety of my family.

“We have moved from our home to a nearby mosque where we hope we will be safe if there is another intense attack.

“As I have no income, I have always needed the help of friends and family for our survival.

“But with the current situation our circumstances have worsened and now I am reaching out to neighbours and relatives for just the basic daily meals for me and my family.”

According to the State Disaster Management Authority, Sakina’s is among 10,917 families to have been displaced in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

So far, 38 people have been reported dead, with more than 110 injured, including women and children.

Displaced people are in need of urgent food and clothes, and if the situation deteriorates they may also need shelter.

Islamic Relief is focusing on women and children in Neelum, Kotli, Bhimber and other areas, who are particularly vulnerable as winter draws in.

PRESS RELEASE, December 2 2016

• Launch event for 200-bed hospital in Johannesburg on December 2
• Islamic Relief has funded oncology unit to the tune of $7.7 m/110m ZAR
• Waseem Ahmad, International Programmes Director, speaks at launch
• Representatives of Islamic Relief South Africa, Worldwide, USA and UK all present and available for interview

 

Islamic Relief is one of three major donors to the new Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital to speak at the launch event for the hospital in the Parktown area of Johannesburg on Friday, December 2.

Our speaker is Waseem Ahmad, International Programmes Director for Islamic Relief Worldwide, who has played a pivotal role in coordinating global support for the project from Islamic Relief partner offices around the world.

This collective effort has delivered a donation of $7.7 million from the Islamic Relief family to fund the hospital’s oncology unit – including $2.5m from Islamic Relief UK and $1.75m from Islamic Relief USA, the two biggest single country donors.

“This hospital has been 11 years in the making and it’s been great for me to see it taking shape,” says Waseem Ahmad. “Islamic Relief is proud to have funded the oncology unit, providing a lifeline for children with cancer when the African continent has so few specialist facilities.

“We’re also privileged to be associated with such a state-of-the-art facility whose services are so badly needed, and to be part of such a fitting tribute to Nelson Mandela.

“As the anniversary of his death approaches on December 5, what better way to celebrate his life and all that he stood for than to launch the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital – a beacon of hope for the children of South Africa for decades to come.

“Islamic Relief’s large donation to this important project would not have been possible without the big-hearted generosity of Muslim communities around the world.

“The ethos of the hospital reflects the ethos of Islamic Relief itself – we help vulnerable people where the need is greatest, regardless of race or religion.”

As well as the oncology unit funded by Islamic Relief, the new 200-bed hospital has centres of excellence in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery; haemotology; nephrology; pulmonology; craniofacial surgery; neurosciences; and general paediatric surgery. The first young patients are expected through its doors for dialysis and radiology treatments in the New Year.

Islamic Relief has committed $7.7m (110m ZAR) to solely support the hospital’s oncology unit. It is a facility that will set the standard for modern child-centred healthcare facilities. Its features include a bone marrow transplant facilities and laboratory; intensive care and high-care beds; a dedicated pharmacy; and a radiology facility.

According to recent figures from the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation, one in 600 children in South Africa is affected by cancer before the age of 16. Yet more than 40 per cent of South African children with cancer never receive specialist treatment. There are only four specialist children’s hospitals on the entire African continent, compared to about 20 in the UK. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) will help change these grim statistics.

 

For more information or to arrange interviews with representatives of Islamic Relief in Johannesburg for the launch, or to obtain photographs or footage from the Islamic Relief team at the event, please contact Martin Cottingham on 00-44-7702-940982 (martin.cottingham@islamic-relief.org.uk).

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people in over 30 countries, mainly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion or gender. With a global headquarters in the UK, it has offices in over 40 countries and has assisted over 110 million people in its 32-year history. Its biggest current operation is its Syrian crisis response: it has delivered over $190 million worth of aid to over 6.5 million Syrians inside Syria and in neighbouring countries since the conflict began. For more information see islamic-relief.org
• Islamic Relief South Africa is an important member of the Islamic Relief global family, both in terms of the funds it raises and the programmes it implements – such as orphan sponsorship, clean water projects and community development initiatives. For more information see http://www.islamic-relief.org.za/what-we-do/
• Available for interview at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital launch: Waseem Ahmad (International Programmes Director) and Martin Cottingham (Director of Communications) – Islamic Relief Worldwide; Anwar Khan (CEO) – Islamic Relief USA; Tufail Hussain (Deputy Director) – Islamic Relief UK; Norman Moyo (Head of Programmes) – Islamic Relief South Africa.

In the run up to World AIDS Day on December 1 Islamic Relief Worldwide CEO Naser Haghamed met with the deputy director of UNAIDS, Dr Luiz Loures.

Within a wide ranging discussion, Naser and Dr Loures talked about social inclusion around HIV and looked forward to the future with both organisations reengaging with a focus on gender justice and HIV prevention across Islamic Relief’s different areas of work.

A commitment was also made to ensure the Islamic Relief global family incorporates inclusive programming where HIV is not forgotten.

Naser said: “The fight against HIV has seen many advances in recent years. The coverage of anti-retroviral drugs has increased, leading to a large number of people with HIV living dignified and full lives.

“Despite these amazing achievements there are still more challenges to overcome and as an international humanitarian organisation we are pushing for inclusive programming with a recognition of HIV prevention to ensure that no one is left behind.

“I am looking forward to working with UNAIDS, and using my voice and position to ensure that HIV is not lost in conversations for humanitarian action”

Islamic Relief’s engagement with UNAIDS started in 2007 with an Islamic Relief initiative which engaged many Muslim NGOs, faith institutions, civil society bodies and academics on approaches to HIV.

To be first on the scene after a disaster strikes, Islamic Relief operates a surge roster with staff ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

A rotation of 40 team members ensures a year-round rapid response, reaching communities affected by floods, earthquakes and cyclones within 72 hours of disaster striking.

To build capacity, team members from various countries have gathered together for a series of training sessions and a disaster simulation.

Mohammed Afsar, interim head of Islamic Relief’s Humanitarian Department, said: “Roles were assigned and individuals were instructed where and when they were being deployed.

“From the moment the simulation began they had to work quickly, making high-pressure decisions just as they would in a real disaster response situation.

“It was a valuable opportunity for surge roster members to work together, forming an understanding of their own roles and an appreciation of each other’s.”

The simulation in Kathmandu saw Islamic Relief responders from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia and the UK split into two teams – one tackling tasks from the country office and the other from the field.

Decision-making skills were put to the test as the teams faced a series of high-pressure challenges, dealing with hostile officials, restricted by curfews and pitching tents in the cold and dark.

The training programme also included modules in stress management and wellbeing, working with others, culture and diversity, and media and communications.

See the stories of our humanitarian heroes here.