Choose an amount
Can provide clean water to 3 families for one month during an emergency
Families across East Africa are facing a growing hunger crisis as drought, rising food prices and repeated extreme weather make it harder to find enough food and clean water.
Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are among the countries badly affected. Many families depend on farming and livestock to survive, but repeated droughts have damaged crops, killed animals and dried up water sources.
Communities are still struggling to recover from previous droughts and floods, leaving families with fewer savings, fewer animals and fewer ways to earn an income. For many, there has been little time to recover before the next crisis begins.
The situation could become even more difficult in the coming months. Weather forecasts warn that El Niño could bring further extreme weather to parts of East Africa later in 2026, including an increased risk of flooding in some areas.
Donate to our East Africa emergency appeal today and help provide food, clean water and vital support to families in need.
Somalia is at the centre of the current East Africa drought and hunger crisis.
Around 6 million people are facing serious levels of hunger, including nearly 2 million people experiencing emergency levels of food shortages. Around 1.9 million children under the age of 5 are suffering from malnutrition.
Four failed rainy seasons have destroyed crops, killed livestock and dried up water supplies. Families who once depended on farming or animals for their food and income have lost almost everything.
Millions of people have been forced from their homes by drought, conflict and other crises. Islamic Relief teams have seen families arriving at camps after walking for days in search of food and water.
In an Islamic Relief assessment around Baidoa earlier in 2026, more than 70% of displaced people surveyed said they were eating just one meal a day or less. In Gedo, Islamic Relief teams have also reported severe malnutrition among families who have fled drought-hit areas.
Islamic Relief is supporting families with food, cash and other essential aid. We are also helping farmers and communities protect their livelihoods and improve access to water, including through wells, boreholes and solar-powered water systems.
Millions of people in Ethiopia continue to struggle with hunger as drought, conflict, high prices and disease put pressure on families.
Drought remains a serious problem in southern and eastern areas, including parts of the Somali and Oromia regions. Water shortages and the loss of livestock have made it harder for families to find food or earn an income.
Across northern, central and southern Ethiopia, many communities were expected to continue facing serious food shortages through September 2026. While upcoming harvests could improve conditions in some areas, families affected by conflict, drought and high food prices remain particularly vulnerable.
Children are paying a particularly heavy price. In Ethiopia’s Somali region alone, more than 50,000 children under 5 were admitted for treatment for severe malnutrition during the first half of 2026.
Islamic Relief has been working in Ethiopia for more than 25 years. Today, our teams continue to support vulnerable communities with cash and nutrition support, while longer-term projects help families access clean water, protect livestock and build stronger livelihoods.
In Kenya, drought continues to affect communities in the country’s dry northern and eastern regions.
Between July and October 2026, around 2.7 million people in Kenya’s dry and semi-dry areas are facing serious food shortages. This is a 55% increase compared with the previous assessment. Around 348,000 people are experiencing emergency levels of hunger.
Children are especially at risk. More than 883,000 children under 5 are expected to need treatment for malnutrition between April 2026 and March 2027, along with around 117,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Families who depend on livestock have been hit hard by unreliable rainfall, limited water and high food prices. When animals become weak or die, families lose both a source of food and the income they need to buy everyday essentials.
Islamic Relief works in some of Kenya’s most drought-prone areas, including Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Marsabit. Our work includes providing cash so families can buy food and water, as well as repairing and drilling water points to help communities and their livestock access safe water.
Across East Africa, repeated droughts, floods and other climate shocks are leaving vulnerable families with less time to recover.
Islamic Relief is responding to immediate needs while also helping communities prepare for future crises.
Our work includes providing food and cash to families in urgent need, improving access to clean water, repairing and building water sources and helping farmers and livestock owners protect the livelihoods they depend on.
But the scale of the crisis is enormous, and millions of people remain in urgent need of support.
Your donation can help Islamic Relief continue providing life-saving aid to families facing hunger, drought and extreme weather across East Africa.
Donate to our East Africa emergency appeal today and help provide food, clean water and vital support to families in need.
We will always treat your personal information with the utmost care and will keep it private (read our privacy policy). You can opt out at any time by contacting us via email at IslamicReliefWorldwide@irworldwide.org or by clicking the unsubscribe button on one of the emails you receive from us.
Zia Salik was appointed Interim Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2025, and brings with him over 18 years of third sector experience. He has held several leadership roles within Islamic Relief UK, including National Events Coordinator, National Community Fundraising Manager, Head of Fundraising, and Deputy Director. Zia has led national fundraising strategies, managed large-scale campaigns and events, and contributed significantly to volunteer development, donor engagement and public outreach.
As Interim Director, Zia oversees multiple teams and contributes to strategic planning, operational leadership and organisational growth. He is recognised for his expertise in major donor management, public speaking, media engagement and community fundraising. Zia has been instrumental in building strong community networks and delivering impactful campaigns.
Before joining Islamic Relief, Zia served as Programmes Manager at Humber All Nations Alliance, where he led organisational growth, project delivery and funding proposals.
Zia is a seasoned leader committed to social justice, who brings a collaborative, mission-driven approach to his work, helping to amplify voices and maximise impact in the charity sector.
Nadeem has a wealth of experience from the charity, statutory and private sectors. He is the Managing Director of HAD (a division of IRW) which is a centre of excellence seeking to empower the humanitarian sector and maximise its effectiveness and from October 2025 will serve as our interim CEO.
Before joining Islamic Relief, for nearly a decade at the General Medical Council — a globally recognised professional regulator — Nadeem managed strategic relationships with Chief Medical Officers and senior leaders. Prior to that, he served as the UK Director of Islamic Help, engaging closely with many international non-governmental organisations and playing a key role in fundraising and media activities.
In 2000, Nadeem was admitted as a solicitor. He spent nearly 8 years as a Partner at a law firm specialising in employment, regulatory and charity law. He has published papers, including in the Modern Law Review, and chapters in books.
Nadeem is deeply committed to strengthening civil society organisations and the charity sector, and throughout his career has focused on improving foundations for future generations and building strong networks. Nadeem has particular expertise working in matters of Learning and Development, especially personal and professional development, combining Islamic principles with modern techniques and interventions. He is also especially interested in psychological perspectives and cognitive distortions. He has designed and delivered training to thousands of people for nearly 3 decades.
As well as individual development and growth, Nadeem has spent 20 years working with organisations to manage and lead people to improve outcomes and efficiencies. He is a Consultant Coach, qualified at ILM Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring and ILM Level 7 in Executive and Senior Leadership Coaching. He was Chair of the Independent Advisory Group for the Professional Standards Department of West Midlands Police for 4 years, where he was awarded recognition for his ‘Outstanding Work.’
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 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.
