Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) and USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have entered a strategic partnership to help refugees, internally displaced individuals, asylum seekers and other vulnerable populations globally.
IRUSA pledges $25 million over a five-year period to support UNHCR’s humanitarian efforts and sustainable impact. This collaboration will expand IRUSA’s reach to regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Central Asia, with a focus on mitigating climate change and improving livelihoods. This partnership will also include Zakat-eligible projects to support the most vulnerable displaced people around the world.
This important partnership with USA for UNHCR will position IRUSA as a leading Muslim organization in contributing to accomplishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“IRUSA is so proud of this important engagement. The scale of displacement around the world today requires us to work collectively to contribute towards a positive change in people’s lives. This relationship with USA for UNHCR will allow us to make that possible. Through this partnership, we can share best practices and ensure forcibly displaced people can thrive in their new environments,” shared Ahmed Shehata, CEO of Islamic Relief USA.
Suzanne Ehlers, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “Islamic Relief USA’s generous commitment exemplifies the power of faith-based partnerships in humanitarian work. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of refugees, providing them with hope and the tools to rebuild their futures.”
In partnership with USA for UNHCR, IRUSA is supporting response efforts in Chad and Ukraine, and has been working to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for refugees in Mexico through vocational training, education opportunities and job placements through UNHCR’s Local Integration Program.
Globally, 120 million people have been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations. IRUSA and USA for UNHCR are proud to partner in this time of
dire need for displaced people worldwide, offering critical support and hope to those who need it most.
MEDIA CONTACT
Syed M. Hassan
mhassan@irusa.org or
(571) 421-7032 (CELL)
or
Junia Geisler
Jgeisler@usaforunhcr.org
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.