Alexandria, Virginia, April 17—Islamic Relief USA staff and volunteers are assisting residents after Illinois tornados.
Islamic Relief USA has been a key partner at the Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Kirkland, IL, assisting those affected by the Category 4 Tornadoes that touched down in the region on April 9.
There, staff and volunteers encountered stories of the survivors from those that hunkered down in their homes to those that fled – including one family that rushed out of their home trying to make it to the local Fire Department and who on their way saw their home flying in front of their vehicle. Staff and volunteers also witnessed the destruction of homes in the tornados’ path including those of elderly women who fortunately decided to attend Bingo that fateful night instead of staying at home—where they likely would have perished.
“Not only does Islamic Relief USA give financial assistance to those in their greatest time of need, we are able to bring calm to a catastrophic situation and bring a little hope that things will get back to a way of life that ushers in a new normal,” said W. Derrick Lea, Disaster Response Team Director.
Even though the operations of the MARC have wrapped up, Islamic Relief USA will continue to be connected to the communities and residents they assisted and is doing additional training in Chicago to further equip volunteers to mobilize and deploy in the future as needed.
When disaster strikes, Islamic Relief USA responds immediately to get vital resources to survivors as quickly and efficiently as possible. IRUSA Disaster Response Team members are essential to the success of our response. IRUSA is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), which serves as a voice for nonprofit organizations and volunteers that work in all phases of disaster.
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. 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.