The people of Syria stand ready for peace and prepared to rebuild their lives. They are ready to lay the foundations for a happier future in which children can attend school free from fear, families can leave displacement camps, and parents can earn enough to support themselves and their children.
For 13 years, crisis has raged in Syria, causing untold damage to the country, its infrastructure, and most importantly, its people.
Coupled with inflation and the increase of commodities around the world, the crisis has left much of the Syrian population in crippling poverty. Integral infrastructure, such as the banking system and hospitals, are on the brink of collapse.
13 years of suffering have left more than 16 million people – 70% of the country’s population – in need of humanitarian aid.
Life is made bleaker still by catastrophic climate-related incidents. Drought and flooding have given rise to deadly cholera outbreaks which threaten all 14 governates of Syria.
The 3 devastating earthquakes of February 2023 have taken the lives of thousands, and further devastated the country’s fragile infrastructure.
Recovering from the latest disasters will be a long and arduous process, but Islamic Relief – which has been supporting the people of Syria since 2011 – is committed to do all we can.
One of the largest charities still operating in Syria, Islamic Relief is also active in several neighbouring countries, where many Syrian refugees rely on our assistance.
Our far-reaching programming includes distributing much-needed food aid; supporting healthcare and education systems on the brink of collapse; and helping uprooted families survive the harsh winter weather.
Please support our work and donate today, and we can continue to save lives in Syria
Islamic Relief is supporting Syrians to help build a better future.
Since 2012, we have been working to deliver wide-ranging humanitarian programming in Syria and to assist refugees in neighbouring countries.
We have supplied emergency food aid to more than 1.5 million people and helped nearly 1 million people survive the harsh winter by providing fuel, food and other essential items.
More than 3 million people have received food packages through Islamic Relief’s Ramadan and qurbani distributions, and thousands of children have been supported by our orphan sponsorship programme.
Islamic Relief continues to urge the international community to find a solution to the crisis, but we are committed to supporting those in need for as long as they need us.
We remain committed to continuing and expanding our life-saving work in Syria and neighbouring countries, and providing sustained humanitarian assistance whenever we can.
With your support, Islamic Relief has remained alongside the people of Syria for the past 13 years. As they brace for a 14th year of crisis, they need us still.
Your donations mean we can ensure people receive the assistance they need and that we can support the strong, inspiring people of Syria as they strive to build a better future.
Please continue to stand with the people of Syria. Donate now.
Learn more about Islamic Relief’s work in Syria in our report.
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Saqeb Mueen
Asha joined Islamic Relief in 2025 with the aim of working with colleagues to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute meaningfully to our shared mission.
Asha has more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership across a range of industries, holding roles at Thomson Reuters, BMW, Movado Group and others. She is passionate about building strong, resilient teams and fostering positive workplace cultures where individuals are empowered to thrive, contribute and do their best work.
Asha holds a BA in Management, Economics and Law, as well as a BA in Business Studies. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
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.
Salaheddin joined Islamic Relief UK in 2006 and over the next 7 years held multiple roles, including Community Fundraiser and Campaigns Manager, before joining Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2013.
Since then, Salaheddin has been instrumental in the launch and growth of new Islamic Relief member offices in Ireland, Spain, Norway and Finland, as well as providing essential support and guidance to existing members, including Italy, where he served as CEO for 3 years.
In 2023, Salaheddin became Deputy Director of Global Family Development and in this role has continued to play a crucial part in steering Islamic Relief’s growth and expansion. He has also led global fundraising and media engagement for major emergencies including the Türkiye-Syria earthquake and Libya floods. Salaheddin became the Interim Director of Global Family Development in 2025.
Salaheddin holds a master’s degree in International Development and is actively involved in several community-led initiatives. He is currently the Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scouts and Deputy Chair of the UK Muslim Scouts Fellowship as well as Chair of the South Birmingham Muslim Community Association.
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 24 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.