Middle East update

Palestine: Gaza Strip Appeal

In addition to a siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and deteriorating social, economic and security conditions, Israeli Forces are carrying out military operations using ground and air forces. On 22 January 2008 Islamic Relief launched a 5 million Pound (R90 million) appeal for Gaza, which has reached the kind hearts and minds of many individuals and institutions.

Nearly 10 million Rands worth of food parcels, medical equipment, medical supplies and blankets have been distributed by Islamic Relief, to 500 thousand beneficiaries. More funds are required by our colleagues in Palestine who are continuing to procure, pack & deliver emergency aid to families in North Gaza, Gaza City, Khanyounis and Rafah.

Islamic Relief also donated one large and two small ventilators in addition to four life monitor machines and several boxes of bandages and other medical disposables to Al-Shifa Hospital on 1 March 2008.

Islamic Relief has been working in Palestine since 1994, and opened its Gaza City office in 1998. Projects such as the Milk for Pre-school children and the Family Sponsorship projects have been affected by the disruptions, but are continuing as best they can. IR donors also sponsor 3,900 orphans in Gaza.

Iraq: 5 years after the war

Armed violence is still the biggest threat facing Iraqi people. Since the beginning of the war in 2003, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed. Conflict and criminality has created thousands of widows and orphans. Sectarian violence since February 2006 has forced 1.26 million people to flee their homes, becoming internally displaced inside Iraq.

More than 60 percent of the population in Iraq is cut off from essential services. The absent rule of law and increasing criminality has prevented families from accessing services such as schools and hospitals, and professionals from providing them. Unemployment is also prevalent, reaching more than 50 percent in some areas.

There are more than 4 million Iraqis who are food insecure. Many more are living in poverty and are increasingly threatened by malnutrition and diseases such as cholera. In short, after 5 years of the war, Iraq is still facing a burgeoning humanitarian crisis.

Islamic Relief Iraq will continue its emergency relief operations and expand them in 2008 to cover 25-30,000 Internally Displaced families, and vulnerable families including women heads of households, elderly families and those living below the poverty line estimated at USD 1/ day.

Islamic Relief Iraq is mainly involved in emergency relief projects providing food and non-food items to IDPs and returnees. This is in addition to its Orphans Welfare Programme and the seasonal projects of Ramadan and Qurbani.

IR Iraq is acknowledged for working in many of the hotspot areas in Iraq, especially in the central governorates of Anbar, Baghdad, Salah Al-Din and Diyala.

Islamic Relief Iraq’s work has been ongoing since 2003 to the present, whereas many international NGOs have left the country after the bombing of the UN premises in August 2003.

Iraqis are suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis and they need the consorted efforts of the international community to relieve this suffering. We call on all our donors and philanthropists to address the Iraqis humanitarian needs rapidly to enable them to recover and rebuild their shattered lives and communities.

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Charity No: 2004/025107/08
043-357 NPO
PBO 930 018 104

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Bank Details
Acc name: Islamic Relief SA
Standard Bank, Fordsburg
Account No: 005318459
Branch Code: 005205
Please fax deposit slip with reference to 011 836 1055

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57 Mint Road, Fordsburg, Jhb.
PO Box 42811, Fordsburg, 2033.
Tel: (011) 836 1054
Fax: (011) 836 1055
www.islamic-relief.co.za
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