Coronavirus Emergency Effort

Work Across the U.S. and Around the World

Due to tremendous need and an overwhelming response from our donors, Islamic Relief USA and the global Islamic Relief family have committed millions of dollars in aid to help those affected by coronavirus.

In the United States, IRUSA has provided more than $5 Million in response to COVID-19 related programs, and served over 600,000 of our vulnerable neighbors. IRUSA has been working with more than 247 partners across the United States to get critical aid to communities that are in desperate need of support. From food aid distributions in Washington, DC, and Flint, MI, to financial aid to families in Brooklyn, NY, and Bellevue, WA, to PPE deliveries in Chicago, IL, Richardson, TX, and Los Angeles, CA, to programs that help those affected by domestic violence, needing health assistance, and more, Islamic Relief USA donors, volunteers, partners, and staff have been working together to reach those most vulnerable in some of the hardest hit areas in some 145 cities and 44 states, including territories like the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Working together with our generous and compassionate donors, we’ve been able to reach families affected by coronavirus in 33 countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Canada, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Yemen, and right here in the United States.

There’s Still More To Do. Here’s How You Can Help:

$10 can provide an individual meal.
$100 can provide a family with a food box
$500 helps give financial assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors
$2,500 provides 500 masks to help a hospital

PLEASE NOTE: Donations made toward IRUSA’s Health or Food Aid funds may be used to support emergency or long-term related work here in the United States and across the world.

We partnered with Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to bring more than 100,000 fresh, nutritious meals to communities in need across the country through the #ChefsforAmerica initiative!

Your donations make initiatives like this happen, and keep important work going!

Resources

Quick Links

Recommended Precautions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Steps To Prevent The Spread
IRUSA Press Release

Frequently Asked Questions

What is COVID-19?
The CDC and WHO are actively monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus strain called COVID-19, which causes respiratory illness. The virus has infected millions of people worldwide and caused deaths. As of March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the situation a pandemic. Visit the CDC Traveler’s Health website for travel notices and precautions.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

People with heart and lung disease or weakened immune systems, as well as infants and older adults, are at higher risk for upper and lower respiratory tract illness.

How is COVID-19 spread?
Human coronaviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing and through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

What is the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus?
The World Health Organization announced the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus on February 11, 2020. It is also known as COVID-19, short for “coronavirus disease 2019.”

General Precautions

1. Stay at home as much as is possible, and follow your state’s stay-at-home mandates, as well as any additional recommendations for essential travel or grocery shopping or vaccinations.
2. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website frequently for updates on the pandemic and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
3. Put distance between yourself and other people (ideally at least six feet apart); just say “hi” or “salaam” verbally and do not shake hands.
4. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly, including before wadu (ablution); use hand sanitizer often.
5. When you sneeze and cough, do so into a tissue or your arm and wash your hands with soap and water (for 20 seconds) right after.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces daily.
7. Wear gloves and masks when in public spaces, and make sure to discard or wash them (as applicable) after each use. Learn how to properly use your gloves and masks too.