Asia

WORK ACROSS ASIA 

For over 18 years, Islamic Relief has been one of few international organizations to continuously work in Afghanistan—even during military incursions. Our range of projects provide access to clean water, sanitation, education, food, and currently emergency relief from a devastating drought. We also provide winter warmth. Special focus is placed on providing home-based education opportunities to girls and women who can’t travel to school.

Since the 1991 devastating tropical cyclone that killed over 135,000, Islamic Relief has provided Bangladesh with critical humanitarian aid. From working with vulnerable communities to strengthen their resilience to natural disasters, to promoting Islamic microfinance and sustainable livelihood projects, IR is heavily present in Bangladesh.

Islamic Relief has worked in China since 2002,  when we built homes in four villages, helping hundreds of families, after floods in the province of Shaanxi. Since then, we supported rainwater harvesting, irrigation development, and girls’ education. We also combatted poverty in rural areas via pastoral enterprise, Islamic finance, and livelihood training.

In 1994, Islamic Relief began providing emergency relief and implementing developmental projects in India. In 2010, our project providing educational opportunities to girls won an honourable commendation from UNESCO WENHUI. Currently, we prevent the spread of disease in rural communities, and support education centers for children in slums.

Islamic Relief has been delivering aid to the people of Indonesia since 2000. Situated in a region prone to natural disasters, the country has suffered earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, and floods. Through the years, IRUSA donors have been there to send both emergency aid and seasonal food support.

In March of 2011, Japan was struck by the most powerful earthquake to hit the nation in recent recorded history. A massive tsunami followed, causing even more destruction on the island nation, which affected thousands of lives. Islamic Relief USA donors responded swiftly to the call for help, delivering emergency aid to survivors in their time of dire need.

Islamic Relief teams moved quickly to aid the survivors of severe flooding in Malaysia in 2014. During that time, torrential rainfall caused flooding to an extent that the region had not seen in decades. Thanks to the support of Islamic Relief USA donors, thousands of survivors received life-saving emergency aid such as blankets, food, and many hygiene kits.

Islamic Relief has supported humanitarian aid efforts in Myanmar since 2012, opening a local office branch there in 2015. Working with the UNHCR, hundreds of thousands of people, especially internal refugees as well as those who are or were in neighboring Bangladesh and Indonesia, continue to be helped with immediate needs like food and shelter.

In April 2015, the Gorkha earthquake struck Nepal and killed nearly 9,000. In the aftermath, Islamic Relief was on the ground providing thousands of vulnerable survivors with food, shelter, and hygiene kits. Islamic Relief has further assisted by launching additional projects that focus on areas like rebuilding communities in need and promoting education.

Since 1992, Pakistan has been near and dear to the Islamic Relief family. Starting with Ramadan and Qurbani food distributions, our programs have expanded to include development initiatives and vital emergency relief after natural disasters. Our diligent response to the earthquake in 2005 was formally recognized by the Pakistan’s government.

In response to Typhoon Haiyan which affected 14 million people in the Philippines in 2013, Islamic Relief responded on the ground to provide vital aid. Over 20,000 food parcels were distributed, along with tents and kits. Since the initial emergency relief phase, programs have focused on shelter, livelihood through business-building, and vocational training.

Islamic Relief began work in Sri Lanka in 2004, in response to the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami. Ampara was one of the worst affected districts; so we assisted communities there with improving their resilience within two years. Since then, an orphan sponsorship program has been launched, and survival packs were given to flood survivors.