Loss and Damage describes the impacts of climate change that have not been averted or minimised through adaptation and mitigation. This brief outlines Islamic Relief's demands for the operation of the UN's new Loss and Damage Fund. This is part of a series of climate action position papers on various aspects of the climate crisis.
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This report details Islamic Relief’s extensive work supporting vulnerable people in Afghanistan since 1992, providing life-saving humanitarian interventions and carrying out long-term development programmes, including projects designed to support women and girls, and orphaned children.
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One year on from the floods which impacted 33 million people across the country, Pakistan is still struggling to recover from the profound losses suffered. As the debt crisis continues to grow and aid initiatives remain severely underfunded, thousands still lack access to basic needs such as food and safe drinking water. In response, Islamic Relief has been at the forefront of the crisis over the past year through its implementation of the 4 Rs – relief, recovery, resilience, and research. This report details the lessons learned through our community-based research efforts, with particular emphasis on issues impacting marginalised or vulnerable groups. To address such issues, the report discusses climate justice and climate funding options and offers recommendations for the government, donors, and relevant international institutions.
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In 2022 humanitarian crises upended the lives of many communities Islamic Relief supports. Against this backdrop of rising need, our latest Annual Report details how we assisted more people than ever before.
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To rise to the challenges that confront the world we all share, and deliver the changes that the poorest and most vulnerable urgently require, we must be innovative in our programming, bold in our advocacy and fearless in our commitment to those we serve. Our strategy sets out our path.
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To rise to the challenges that confront the world we all share, and deliver the changes that the poorest and most vulnerable urgently require, we must be innovative in our programming, bold in our advocacy and fearless in our commitment to those we serve. Our strategy sets out our path. Read the summary here.
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Governments and corporations are increasingly relying on technical fixes for countering global heating. Part of a series of climate action position papers on various aspects of the climate crisis, this paper sets out Islamic Relief’s position on the various technologies and the perils of 'playing God'
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The Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policy is part of Islamic Relief’s Safeguarding Framework and outlines the measures we take to protect people from SEAH. Islamic Relief believes everyone has the right to be safe, respected, and valued, regardless of who they are, or their circumstances. Everyone representing Islamic Relief is required to understand, implement and adhere to all the guideline outlined in this policy. Any violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal.
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Children are often seen as being the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but they can also be effective agents of action and contribute to efforts to mitigate and adapt to its impacts. This paper sets out Islamic Relief’s position towards harnessing this energy at the international level. This is part of a series of climate action position papers on various aspects of the climate crisis.
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In 2020, Islamic Relief Worldwide initiated a series of learning papers to understand the specific needs and barriers to accessing health services for women and girls and other at-risk groups. Gaps from previous analysis reports are addressed and data is collected from approximately 1,000 participants in 4 health facilities in Harim and Idleb in north-west Syria. This paper captures perceptions and attitudes towards women and girls’ health and identify barriers that restrict their access to healthcare facilities. The findings and recommendations are intended to support the development and design of Islamic Relief Syria’s healthcare programmes, supporting these interventions to be more inclusive and accessible for women and girls in north-west Syria.
Download/View publication Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.
Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.
Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.
Nadeem Azhar
Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.
He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.
Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.
Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.
Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.
Adnan Hafiz
Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.
Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.
Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.
Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.
Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.
Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 20 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.
With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.
