Alexandria, Va. – Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, will enter into a three-year contract with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help resettle refugees. The agreement was approved by the State Department’s Federal Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
The partnership enables IRUSA to call upon its network of refugee service organizations to set up as many as 10 sites in the coming fiscal year. By setting up these sites, IRUSA hopes to resettle as many as 750 refugees. By the third year, IRUSA hopes to accomplish its goal of having 21 Islamic relief USA resettlement offices within partner organizations. Also by the end of the third year Islamic relief USA itself will apply to become a standalone refugee resettlement agency.
“With all of the conflicts and struggles taking place around the world, providing aid to refugees escaping dire circumstances in their homeland is not only necessary; it’s a moral imperative,” said Sharif Aly, chief executive officer of IRUSA. “Islamic Relief USA is delighted to have entered into this agreement with the International Rescue Committee. This will enable us to use our resources efficiently and effectively, to provide maximum benefits to some of the most vulnerable, at-risk populations. This partnership allows us to continue our commitment to working together for a better world.”
“The International Rescue committee is thrilled to support IRUSA as they become a part of the United States Resettlement Program. New actors in the resettlement space increases the ability of United States to aid those in need of protection at this critical moment,” said Hans Van de Weerd, senior vice president of Resettlement, Asylum and Integration at IRC. “The IRC believes in IRUSA and its network’s ability to welcome refugees as they arrive in American communities. We look forward to the journey ahead with our new IRUSA colleagues.”
During the current fiscal year, IRUSA helped resettle 168 refugees with the assistance of its longtime partner, Church World Services. Also, some $632,830 was provided to 27 partners to help resettle 25,368 individuals across the county. Among the services provided were rental assistance, English-as-second language courses, financial assistance, among other types of aid. These services help them adjust to living in, and integrate into American society.
MEDIA CONTACT
Syed M. Hassan
media@irusa.org or
(571) 421-7032 (CELL)
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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 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.