Ramadhan Relief 2012

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Ramadhan Relief Report 1433 – 2012

Making difficult lives a little easier

Ramadhan Relief (1433 – 2012)

Introduction ............................................................ 2 -3

Country Facts & Figures

Afghanistan .............................................................. 4 Bangladesh .............................................................. 5 Bosnia ...................................................................... 6 Haiti .......................................................................... 7 India ......................................................................... 8- 11 Iraq ........................................................................... 12 Kenya ...................................................................... 13 Madagascar ............................................................ 14 Myanmar ................................................................. 14 Pakistan .................................................................. 15 South Africa ............................................................ 16 Sri Lanka ................................................................. 17 Tanzania .................................................................. 18-20 Thank You ............................................................... 21

...Across

Thirteen Countires

Making difficult lives a little easier Thank you – for seeing it in your heart to help make a difference in the lives of over 188,000 deserving people including orphans, children, seniors, widows and the disabled this past Ramadhan. For these families, the challenges of finding work, adequate shelter, nutritious meals and building confidence while living below the poverty line is already hard enough. The World Federation’s Ramadhan Relief Fund is all about coming together as a global family to ease the hardships of others so that they too can fast and partake in the spiritual journey of this Holy month with ease and comfort.

In the months preceding Ramadhan, our volunteers, spanning across 13 countries worked countless hours behind the scenes to organise the aid distribution to families waiting in anticipation for relief through the Ramadhan Relief Program. Throughout the month, these same volunteers would break their fasts en route to different areas where they would personally deliver aid.

The World Federation is blessed to be working with this caring and dedicated team of individuals who are the strength of this annual initiative.

One of our volunteers in India wrote to us and said: ‘The Ramadhan Relief Project will distribute bags of uncooked food directly to the needy, saving them the inconvenience and expense of travelling to a location to collect food.

Moreover, delivery of uncooked food items will enable the beneficiaries to prepare and eat the food in the privacy and comfort of their own homes.’

This report is a glimpse of the many activities in support of Ramadhan Relief that took place during the Glorious and Blessed month of Ramadhan. On behalf of all the beneficiaries, thank you for making difficult lives a little easier.

16,000 800 2

sponsored more than

sponsored over

food baskets.

iftaars for the deserving.

Our biggest year yet The World Federation’s annual Ramadhan Relief Programme is a partnership where everybody wins. From the thousands upon thousands of beneficiaries to the countless volunteers, generous donors, Jamaats, Regional Federations and concerned individuals, this initiative continues to show that united, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. This year (1433/2012), The World Federation distributed about $654,000 USD - its largest sum ever in aid to deserving families who are grappling with poverty.

COUNTRY

FOOD BASKETS

Iftaars for the deserving

CASH GIFTS

DEBT

EID GIFTS

MEDICINES

NO. OF PEOPLE BENEFITTED

321

470

5017

1

15

13

10

1024

6105

9

1777

2598

29

Afghanistan Bangladesh Bosnia Haiti India Iraq Kenya

604

149

1500

1441

10

2244

1326

40954

17364

6000

638

3898

58

2500

Sri Lanka

234

Tanzania

1368

45

592

3

80

13615

16075

805

5378

13

2678

5500

188526

Madagascar Myan Mar Pakistan South Africa

Total

121

333

1

26

60900

5500

37197

393

1556

936

5,300 13 supported over

supported

familes to receive monetary assistance.

familes to clear debts.

3

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Background

Background

Despite recent progress, millions of Afghans still live in severe poverty with a crumbling infrastructure and a landscape that is suffering from environmental damage. This rugged, landlocked country remains one of the poorest in the world, with more than half the population living below the poverty line. The basic meal of most families living in poverty consists of dry bread (pirki) and water or milk, if they can afford it.

In Bangladesh, a staggering 18 percent of women are acutely malnourished, and roughly one third of adolescent girls suffer from anemia and micronutrient deficiency.

The economic, environmental and social hardships faced by countless people here make it very difficult to change these statistics. Most of these families still live in camps where their surroundings are polluted and is taking a toll on their health.

321

Food Baskets Contents: Flour, Oil, Rice, Sugar, Tea, Dates, Meat

470

Cash Gifts

were given to seniors, orphans, the sick and the disabled living in different villages across Balkhab, Sarapul, Mazar-e-Sharif and Sancharak

Case Study One of the beneficiaries of the Ramadhan Relief Program in Afghanistan is Adil - a 15 year old orphan whose father died in Ghazni Province. Adil lost his foot and fingers in a mine explosion leaving him disabled.

The Ramadhan Relief Fund was a blessing for Adil who was able to enjoy decent and healthy meals amid his many problems.

Items were purchased in bulk to save costs, to guarantee quality of the food items and ensure that each food parcel is packed properly - Afghanistan distribution agent

4

604

Cash Gifts

were distributed to deserving sadaat and non-sadaat families, seniors, orphans, widows and the disabled living in Chittagong, Khalishpur, Rangpur, Sayedpur, Old Dhaka, Moghbazar, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Khulna Hussaini, Dalan and Bara Katra

Case Studies One of the Ramadhan Relief beneficiaries is Zareen Begum who is suffering from cancer.

She has two children and her husband’s income is not enough to meet the expenses of the family. This Ramadhan, she was able to afford healthier food rations for her and her family.

Amina is another recipient of the Ramadhan Relief Fund. She has no family to support her as her husband is too sick to work.

Although she works odd jobs, the income she earns is too little to meet their meagre expenses.

The atmosphere in our office is like a celebration.

Everyone prays for the generous who share their blessings with them.

- Volunteer at Bangladesh distribution office

5

Bosnia

Haiti

Background

Majority of the modest Shia Muslim community in Bosnia are new to the faith and young couples with small children.

Some of these individuals are working, some are jobless and some are studying.

Those who are employed, find work in the agricultural sector where the salaries are often insufficient. However, for those who are not working like Mohammed and Mariam – a couple with nine children where both parents are ill and not able to work and do not receive any government aid, The Ramadhan Relief Fund was a saving grace.

1

Food Basket Contents: Flour, Cooking Oil, Sugar, Salt, Pasta

6

13

Cash Gifts

were given to deserving families

Background

Case Study A father received monetary aid to help pay the school fees of his two children. The Ramadhan Relief Fund ensured that these two children would be able to continue with their education in hopes of a more promising and brighter future.

13

Community Iftaars

in the town of Ljesevo where 30 to 80 people would attend each program

10

Debt Relief

ten needy families were assisted with their debts

Over the years, natural disasters have intensified Haiti’s already struggling economy. Every year between June and November, the hurricane season brings with it fears of more devastating storms. In October 2010, as the country was still trying to recovery from January’s earthquake, a cholera epidemic broke out and efforts are still underway to contain the disease.

The Shia Muslim community in Haiti is spread across 11 towns and includes about 684 children and youth and 144 adults.

149

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Beans, Flours, Sugar, Milk, Tuna Fish, Oil, Butter, Corn, Oatmeal, Coffee Powder, Tea Bags, Bread, Cookies and Sweets

10

Community Iftaars organised to bring all the community together.

Around 1,000 people attended these dinners

Case Studies Adela is a widow with nine children who cannot find work.

One day during prayer time she walked into the Islamic centre in search of food. Soon after, Adela and her two sons (ages 9 and 18) accepted Islam. One year later, she became a very active member of the community. The Ramadhan Relief Fund has been very helpful to Adela and her children to make the Holy month easier.

Haiti is a poor country and the Muslim community is in a very bad condition because most of them are not working. They are living with less than $1 USD per day.

- Haiti distribution agent

7

India Hyderabad The rapid rate of urbanisation with increased economic activities has encouraged people to migrate to Hyderabad in search of work. This rush to the city has resulted in an increased demand for water where the region’s ground water levels are shrinking and dams are facing water shortage. For families living in the old part of Hyderabad, the blessed month of Ramadhan was a great struggle for them. Even to find a dry piece of bread to eat was very difficult. Many have little or no provisions to even break their fast with.

Background

Despite significant economic progress in the past decade, India is home to about 25 percent of the world’s hungry poor. Although the country grows enough food for its people, pockets of hunger remain.

When they get some grains from us, they feel obliged to the donors. It really helps them a lot.

- Bihar distribution agent

Bangalore India’s third most populous city, Bangalore is a growing metropolitan city in a developing country, It confronts substantial pollution and other logistical and socio-economic problems.

2,328

Food Baskets Contents: Masoor lentils, Gram lentils, Sugar, Rice, Cooking oil, Wheat flour

8

Bihar In Bihar, most of the people live in poverty and expect some sort of aid during the month of Ramadhan.

539

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Flour, Lentils, Gram flour, Mustard oil, Sugar, Tea leaves

380

Food Baskets

26

Cash Gifts

Contents: Rice, Wheat Flour, Cooking Oil, Sugar, Lentils, Dates, Tea

bed sheets and clothes were distributed and debt relief was provided to these families and individuals

Kolkata In April 2012, The World Federation visited Kolkata and its surrounding areas where about 10,000 Shia Muslim families – both sadaat and non-sadaat live below the poverty line.

762

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Wheat, Lentils, Sugar, Mustard Oil

9

Community Iftaars about 4,500 people received a hot meal after breaking their fast

30

Cash Gifts

were given to deserving families

9

India continued...

Kutch Kutch is a district of Gujarat state in Western India. This region is the native land of many Khoja community members from across the world and is a place close to our hearts.

61

Food Baskets Contents: Wheat Flour, Oil, Sugar, Tea, Rice, Lentils, Dates, Soap

Hussain Ali and his wife have six children and he earns about $20 USD per month. Sadly, he has completely lost his eyesight and is unable to work. Every now & then the family goes to bed hungry. This year, the Ramadhan Relief fund was a blessing for this family.

- Lucknow distribution agent

Lucknow In Lucknow, Muslims make up about 28 percent of the population.

The Ramadhan Relief Program has been providing respite to families living in this local for many years now including the rural areas of Lucknow.

10

762

1,448

Contents: Rice, Wheat, Lentils, Sugar, Mustard Oil

were given to deserving families

Food Baskets

Cash Gifts

Mumbai Once known as Bombay, Mumbai is the fourth most populous city in the world.

Mumbai is the city of extremes where behind the bright lights and shiny towers lay the pungent slums where so many people call ‘home’.

168

Cash Gifts

were given to deserving families

Three various food baskets were provided:

1

1,350

Food Baskets Contents: Wheat, Rice, Sugar, Lentils

Machilipatnam Prone to cyclones, economic development in this part of India is slower than other regions.

Finding work is that much more difficult here and very seasonal. Poverty is widespread where people cannot afford healthy meals to meet their body’s nutritional requirements.

2

425

Food Baskets Contents: Wheat, Rice, Oil, Sugar, Tea, Lentils

125

3

Food Baskets

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Cooking Oil, Flour, Lentils, Sugar,Tea Powder, Tamarind, Onions

520

Contents: Wheat, Rice, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Tea Powder, Mixed Fruit Jam, Salt, Roasted Sewai, Rose Syrup, Lentils

100

Cash Gifts

were given to deserving families and widows

11

Kenya

Iraq

Background

Despite Iraq being a middle income oil-rich country, a significant portion of the Iraqi population has no access to basic social services – particularly health, education, water, electricity, housing, sanitation and food.

Background

Case Study 2,000 sadaat orphans received a pair of clothes for Eid as a gift from The World Federation.

Contents: Indian Rice, Kishmish,Tomato Paste, Dried Lemon, Starch, Vermicelli, Chickpeas, Lentils, Tea, Oil, Maash Lentils

The children were excited to choose their new outfits.

- Iraq distribution agent

12

I am very grateful to have received this iftaar ration. I appreciate the fact that somewhere in this world there are people who care about us, the needy.’

Two varied food baskets were provided:

- Food Basket recipient

1

1,500

Food Baskets

Nearly half of Kenya’s 40 million people live in poverty, or are unable to meet their daily nutritional requirements. The vast majority of this deprived population lives in rural areas where life is anything but stress-free and it was in these areas of need that the Ramadhan Relief Program was hard at work this year.

Kenya’s underprivileged rural people include farmers, herders, farm laborers, unskilled and semi-skilled workers, widows, single parents, people with disabilities and orphans.

1,001

Food Baskets Contents: Maize meal, Wheat flour, Cooking oil

2

80

Food Baskets Contents: Cooking oil, Sugar, Rice, Ngano, Tea, Juice, Custard, Tomato paste, Meat & Chicken

29

Community Iftaars had a very high turnout due to the current economic crisis

13

Madagascar

Pakistan

Background

The World Bank has estimated that 70% of Madagascar’s citizens live on less than $1 USD per day. Poverty and the competition for agricultural land have put pressure on the island’s diminishing forests, home to much of Madagascar’s unique wildlife and key to its emerging tourist industry.

638

Community Iftaars daily Iftaars were sponsored across 22 Islamic Centres for the whole of Ramadhan.

Around 60,900 people in total where served iftaar

Myanmar Background

Myanmar’s economy is one of the least developed in the world, and is suffering the effects of decades of stagnation, mismanagement, and isolation. The majority of Shia Muslims here live in larger urban centres like Yangon, Mandalay, Prome and Mawlamyine.

121

14

Pakistan is also home to countless orphans whose parents either died or abandoned their children because they could no longer afford to care for them. These children live a life of poverty where destitution leaves them no choice but to leave school and survive by collecting trash or panhandling.

Two varied food baskets were provided:

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Lentils, Oil (enough to feed a family of five for 2 weeks)

Case Study An elderly man from Mandalay who lives alone told our volunteers, with tears in his eyes, that he felt as if the food parcel

Background

Pakistan continues to be subject to considerable socio-political, economic and environmental volatility. Since 2010, the entire stretch of the country has been affected by annual floods leaving hundreds of thousands of people without access to food, clean drinking water, healthcare and shelter. Furthermore, rainwater has flooded many acres of prime farmland.

had been sent from God Himself. He felt sure that he would be able to complete the whole month of fasting.

5,500 Medicine

5,500 needy people provided with medicine

10,500 2,500 Community Iftaars

Cash Gifts

Case Study Aiman Bibi is a widow who is blind. She has 6 daughters and 1 son. She was very grateful to have received a food basket this Ramadhan.

1

3,200

Food Baskets Contents: Flour, Rice, Basin, Oil Ghee, Sugar, Khurma

2

605

Food Baskets

Contents: Flour, Rice, Ghee, Sugar,Tea, Gram Flour, Juice, Lentils, Dates

15

South Africa

Sri Lanka Background

The population of Sri Lanka is about 21 million people where 23% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Sadly, one out of three children here is underweight.

Background

South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world, yet according to a UNICEF report, more than half of South Africa’s children live in poverty. The report found that 1.4 million children live in homes that rely on unhygienic streams for drinking water, 1.5 million have no flushing lavatories and 1.7 million live in shacks, with no proper bedding, cooking or washing facilities.

333

Food Baskets

food parcels were delivered across Gauteng, Western Cape, Kwathema, Katlehong, Soweto and Braamfischerville

1

Community Iftaars over 120 people attended

8

Cash Gifts

provided to four religious scholars, a student, an orphanage, a deserving family of 7 and a community organisation

18

Debt Relief

18 debts were cleared for families living in Johannesburg whose breadwinners recently lost their jobs

The conditions of the Muslims in the regions we intend providing relief aid to this Ramadhan is beyond description. Their economic, medical and social conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that most of them have only one square meal a day and they are not in a position to seek medical aid when they are ill and have to make do with home - Sri Lanka distribution agent remedies.

234

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Lentils, Flour, Tea, Sugar, Milk, Canned Salmon

Extra Relief Work: Laylatul Qadr Amaals and Eid ul Fitr celebrations were organised at a prison for the benefit of the Muslims there.

16

17

Tanzania Tanga

Dodoma

215

479

Background

Tanzania is among the African countries with the highest levels of malnutrition.

Some 42 percent of children under the age of five are stunted, eight out of ten children under the age of one are anemic, and about one third of children aged 6 to 59 months are Vitamin A deficient. Poor nutrition is also a serious problem among women of reproductive age, with more than half of pregnant women anemic and one in ten women undernourished.

Dar es Salaam

25

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Sugar, Flour, Cooking Oil, Tea Leaves, Milk Powder

18

Food Baskets

Food Baskets Case Study Mrs. Rabab is a widow. She is the only earner in her family and must provide for her four children and her 70 year old mother who also lives with her. Rabab earns a living by selling charcoal; this income is not enough to feed her family. She looks forward to the Ramadhan Relief Program to relieve some of her financial pressures.

Nduruma and Unga

55

Food Baskets

Contents: Cooking Oil, Sorghum, Tea Leaves, Azam Flour, Salt, Maize Flour, Dates, Rice Sugar, Vegtaqbles, Biscuits, Plastic Bags

Contents: Rice, Beans, Maize Flour, Sugar, Oil, Spaghetti, Dates and Salt

Contents: Rice, Sugar, Wheat Flour

I struggle hard to feed myself and buy some medicines. I thank the Ramadhan Relief Program for the food packet. It helped me cook iftaar and sehri for myself for the whole month of - Amin (82 years old), Ramadhan. Asante sana. recipient of food parcel in Dodoma Morogoro

1

Medicine

a lady with hearing problems was provided with a hearing aid

5+

Cash Gifts

financial assistance provided to 5 families; separate cash gifts were also given to other families for necessary items

29

Community Iftaars this included Iftaar to 47 orphans and staff for the entire month of Ramadhan

19

Tanzania continued...

Thank You

Mwanza, Arusha, Moshi, Kigoma, Coastal Regions, Zanzibar, Temeke & Tanga* Ramadhan Relief was distributed to deserving families living in these areas with priority given to the elderly, widows and orphans.

589

Food Baskets Contents: Rice, Sugar, Wheat Flour, Salt, Beans, Tea Leaves, Oil Maize flour

1

Community Iftaar an Eid lunch was sponsored with 150 people attending

592

Cash Gifts

distributed to families allowing them to purchase necessary items; 80 separate Eid Gifts were also given to children

3

Debt Relief provided to individuals in debt

Ramadhan Relief Funds, food rations and iftaar are a major help to the community members in the region. These provide them with some kind of comfort and ease enabling them to fast and worship with peace of mind and participate in various spiritual events which are generally well attended in the holy month

Children helping Children Campaign The World Federation invited children and youth from around the world to raise awareness and fundraise for the Ramadhan Relief Fund by creating a web page on www.justgiving.com. Our heartfelt thanks to all of our fundraisers for raising $8,382.54 USD to fight hunger!

Donate a Sandwich Campaign Donors from across the world responded to the “Donate a Sandwich Campaign� and raised $12,880.88 USD for the Ramadhan Relief Fund. By donating the cost of a sandwich, so many more families benefitted from the Ramadhan Relief Programme.

188,000 Together we served over

people

- Agent in Kigoma

On behalf of all the recipients, our partners, our volunteers and The World Federation team, thank you for your support of Ramadhan Relief 1433.

Jazaakallaahu Khairaa May the Almighty return your kindness

20

* Some districts overlap due to the different agencies area of work.

21