The threat of famine looms over countries across East Africa including Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia as conflict and climate induced drought have left nearly 20.5 million people without food. Over 8.9 million livestock, a main source of food and livelihood for farming communities across the region, have perished. The struggle to find food and water has forced hundreds of thousands of people across the region to migrate in order to survive, further escalating the crisis. The impact of the war in Ukraine is also a particular cause for concern as food prices continue to soar, and 90% of the wheat, a staple in the region’s diet, comes from either Russia or Ukraine.
Islamic Relief is on the ground across Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia focusing on interventions similar to those in 2011 including food security and access to clean water and sanitation. Through efforts like financial assistance programs; provision of water and hygiene kits; and construction of sanitary facilities, it is our hope to bring dignity to our brothers and sisters across East Africa and let them know they have not been forgotten. Thanks to our supporters, we’re able to help make it possible.
Islamic Relief has been in Kenya since 1993. Since then, our focus has been on long-term development assistance to help pull vulnerable communities out of the cycle of poverty.
A few of our interventions include:
Thanks to you, we’ve been able to accomplish so much. But there’s still so much more to do. By continuing to support our efforts in Kenya, you can help make a difference in the lives of those in desperate need.
Fadumo is a mother of 8. When we met her, her elder daughter had to help her by working in a small shop. The family consists of 10 people. They had no one else to assist them with family support.
This is what Fadumo told us: “We used eat once or twice a day—morning and evening—and most of our daily meals consisted of maize, beans, and rice. We seldom had fruits and vegetables. Our diets was very poor because of more carbohydrates, with little vitamins and proteins
It is certainly a challenge to feed a such big family with ten members, and buying food depends on our daily income. If we didn’t have enough food, we had to take from our friends, neighbors, and relatives.
Without proper food, it’s difficult to survive, and poor diets have bad effects on health—especially for children, pregnant, lactating, and old-aged people. Poor nutrition may cause diseases related to malnutrition and diseases common in children and pregnant women.
Since we received microfinance cash support from Islamic Relief, our living standard has improved, alhamdulillah. Our normal life is good, and now we can cover and buy our basic needs.
Thanks to Islamic Relief for providing us with microcredit cash distribution. We are so happy to receive this model project. This will serve our daily income for buying food and everything for our entire family.
My family and I are especially happy to receive this cash grant and assistance from Islamic Relief and this has allowed me to open and run a small shop in my house which has been reconstructed by Islamic Relief, and now is functional thanks to the cash and asset given to me.”
I’m happy and I thank to Allah, Islamic Relief, and the donors and I wish our Muslim donors the best.”