Africa

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa that is currently facing one of the fastest-growing humanitarian crises in the world. The country struggles with:

• Extreme Poverty: More than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, with limited access to basic services.
• Climate Instability: Frequent droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns severely impact subsistence farming.
• Internal Displacement: Recent instability has forced hundreds of thousands of families to flee their homes, leading to urgent needs for shelter and food.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Burkina Faso

Islamic Relief USA is committed to providing both immediate lifesaving aid and long-term sustainable solutions to help the people of Burkina Faso build a brighter future. Some of our current interventions include:

• Effective access to healthcare
• Emergency food assistance

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the poorest and most fragile nations globally, with over 80% of its population expected to live in extreme poverty through 2026. A combination of protracted armed conflict, massive internal displacement, and frequent natural disasters—including severe floods and landslides—has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. As of early 2026, an estimated 26.6 million people are facing acute food insecurity, making it one of the largest hunger crises in the world.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Islamic Relief USA has been in the DRC for several years. Our focus is on long-term development assistance to help pull vulnerable communities out of the cycle of poverty. Some of our current interventions include:

• War relief and recovery
• Emergency food assistance

Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa that faces significant challenges that hinder its development. Djibouti’s economy is heavily reliant on its services sector — particularly its port and logistics industry — which accounts for over 92% of total employment.

The country struggles with:

• Extreme Poverty: Approximately 42% of the population lives in extreme poverty, and the national poverty rate is estimated to be at 79%.
• Food Insecurity: Djibouti is highly dependent on international markets, importing more than 90% of its food. As of early 2026, an estimated 194,000 people face severe acute food insecurity, worsened by low purchasing power.
• Refugee Hosting: The country hosts thousands of refugees and asylum seekers, which puts immense pressure on its limited resources and basic services.
• Economic Vulnerabilities: The country struggles with high unemployment, with some estimates putting the rate at nearly 40%. The nation also faces significant fiscal challenges due to high levels of external debt, which limits the government’s ability to fund social programs.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Djibouti  

For several years, Islamic Relief USA has partnered with communities across Djibouti to foster long-term stability. Our programs go beyond immediate relief, focusing on sustainable development that empowers vulnerable families to break the cycle of poverty and build a more resilient future.

A few of our interventions include:

• Healthcare
• Midwives support for better maternal and newborn outcomes
• Orphan Sponsorship
• Seasonal distributions of Qurbani meat and Ramadan Food Packages

Lesotho is a small, mountainous country that is completely landlocked by South Africa. The country faces significant humanitarian challenges caused by environmental disasters and economic instability.

The country struggles with:

• Extreme Poverty: Economic opportunities are limited, particularly in rural mountainous areas where access to resources is a significant barrier. As of early 2026, nearly 60% of the population have recently experienced moderate or high levels of lived poverty.
• Food Insecurity: Approximately 334,000 people (22% of the rural population) in Lesotho are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above).
• Climate Vulnerabilities: Lesotho frequently experiences harsh winters and unpredictable weather patterns, including severe droughts that threaten livestock and agricultural production.
• Health Challenges: The nation faces high rates of health issues, including significant impact from HIV and AIDS.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Lesotho  

For several years, Islamic Relief USA has partnered with communities across Lesotho to foster long-term stability. Our programs go beyond immediate relief, focusing on sustainable development that empowers vulnerable families to break the cycle of poverty and build a more resilient future.

A few of our interventions include:

• Out-of-hospital healthcare for children
• Seasonal distributions of Qurbani meat and Ramadan Food Packages

Liberia is a country on the west coast of Africa that continues to face significant humanitarian and developmental challenges following years of civil war and health crises.

The country struggles with:

• Poverty and Economic Instability: Over half of Liberia’s population is estimated to live under the poverty line.
• Food Insecurity: In 2022, the World Health Organization reported that 47% of the population was food insecure. Approximately 38.4% of the population is undernourished.
• Limited Access to Resources: Rural communities face barriers in land access, financial services, and training.
• Violence Against Women and Girls: Liberia faces high rates of gender-based violence, and many victims lack access to essential support services and the legal means to exercise their rights.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Liberia

For decades, Islamic Relief USA has worked to empower the most vulnerable communities in Africa, including Liberia. Our mission is founded on the belief that every life is of paramount importance, and we work to help families build the capabilities they need to break the cycle of poverty.

A few of our interventions include:

• Establishing safe spaces for women and girls to lead lives free from violence
• Providing access to community-led savings and loan groups
• Seasonal distributions of Ramadan Food Packages

Focus on Nigeria

Nigeria is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis driven by escalating conflict, extreme weather events, and severe economic instability. While often recognized for its vast potential, the country is home to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, particularly in the northeast and northwest regions where displacement and hunger have reached critical levels.

The country struggles with:

• Mass Internal Displacement: Over 2.3 million people are internally displaced in northeast Nigeria alone, with many living in informal settlements with limited access to basic safety and aid. 
• Deepening Food Insecurity: Hunger is a staggering challenge, with an estimated 33 million people projected to be food insecure. Approximately 5.4 million children under five are suffering from or projected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
• Widespread Poverty: Recent estimates suggest that over 52% of all Nigerians are estimated to live in poverty as of 2026. High inflation rates, and the removal of fuel subsidies have eroded purchasing power, leaving millions unable to afford basic necessities like clean water. 

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Nigeria

For over 30, Islamic Relief USA has remained steadfast in its commitment to serving the most vulnerable communities in over 40 countries, including Nigeria. Our mission is to provide life-saving emergency relief while fostering long-term resilience through sustainable development. 

A few of our interventions include:

• Seasonal distributions of Qurbani meat and Ramadan Food Packages 

Sierra Leone is a vibrant West African nation on the North Atlantic coast, but it continues to grapple with the long-term effects of a civil war that ended in 2002, as well as the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its significant natural wealth and agricultural potential, the country faces persistent humanitarian and developmental challenges.

The country struggles with:

• Poverty and Economic Instability: Almost 60% of Sierra Leone’s population lives below the national poverty line, and the country was recently ranked 185th out of 193 on the 2025 Human Development Index.
• Severe Food Insecurity: An estimated 78% of people are food insecure. High food prices, exacerbated by global inflation and a heavy reliance on imported staples like rice, have made adequate nutrition unattainable for many.
• Environmental Vulnerabilities: Sierra Leone is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. It faces frequent environmental hazards, including devastating floods, landslides, and droughts that cripple harvests and threaten livelihoods.
• Health and Nutrition Challenges: Malnutrition remains a serious public health concern, with over 25% of children under age 5 suffering from stunting. The healthcare system is also strained by high rates of malaria, which accounts for nearly 40% of hospital admissions.

Islamic Relief USA’s Dedication to Sierra Leone  

For decades, Islamic Relief USA has worked to empower the most vulnerable communities in Africa, including Sierra Leone. Our mission is founded on the belief that every life is of paramount importance, and we work to help families build the capabilities they need to break the cycle of poverty.

A few of our interventions include:

• Healthcare and nutrition for vulnerable people
• Seasonal distributions of Qurbani meat and Ramadan Food Packages