Islamic Relief is committed to ensuring that our humanitarian and development actions are accessible to people living with disabilities and we ensure people with disabilities have a say in our programmes and policies.
Despite representing at least 15 percent of the world’s population, people with disabilities in humanitarian contexts are rarely recognised in needs assessments, or consulted about their needs.
This means that despite the fact they are often in greater need of humanitarian assistance, they are less likely to receive it.
As well as facing barriers preventing their full participation in their communities, they may be unable to access humanitarian assistance on an equal basis. Factors preventing their access include stigma and discrimination, negative attitudes and behaviours, and a one-size fits all approach to assistance.
At the 2018 Global Disability Summit, we committed to tackle people with disabilities’ exclusion from education and livelihoods, to contribute to anti-stigma and discrimination efforts, and to engage with organisations of persons with disabilities. As a leading humanitarian actor, Islamic Relief has pledged to guarantee meaningful participation and equal and just access to humanitarian assistance.
Two years later, our programming in Bangladesh, Chechnya and Gaza in particular benefitted from collaboration with organisations of persons with disabilities, and we have improved feedback mechanisms in Afghanistan and Indonesia.
More recently, we introduced new project planning and monitoring, as well as evaluation and accountability processes to improve consistency and guidance.
In addition, we have backed the World Humanitarian Summit commitments to ‘leave no one behind’ and the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, which led to the IASC guidelines on inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action – which we translated into Arabic in order to broaden their impact.
Islamic Relief adopts an intersectional lens that shapes our protection and inclusion framework. To make sure people with disabilities are not left behind, the framework addresses six intersectional areas that exacerbate access to humanitarian assistance, known as the 6 A’s:
Does the proposal contain an adequate age, gender and diversity analysis, and has sex, age and disability-disaggregated data been collected throughout the project lifecycle?
Is the assistance adapted to the specific needs and capacities of different gender, age, disability and ethnic groups?
Does the action prevent or mitigate potential negative effects on different groups in the community?
Does the project adopt a participatory approach by ensuring men, women, girls and boys of all ages and abilities enjoy adequate and equal participation?
Does the programme consider safe and accessible complaints mechanisms, accessible information, and systems to consider the differentiated needs of women, men, girls and boys of all ages, abilities and diversities? Does the organisation reflect on its own practices, policies, and code of conduct to ensure enhanced accountability?
Does the organisation have staff trained on inclusive, protective and accountable approaches to programming?
Islamic Relief understands that disability inclusion is the business of all humanitarian organisations – and that sustainable change needs a holistic approach led by the affected population and their representatives. This approach should highlight the capabilities of people with disabilities to lead the positive change that is so desperately needed.
Last year, we analysed the needs of refugees with disabilities living in camps in Sudan for those fleeing the conflict in Tigray. Working with the International Disability Alliance, two researchers with disabilities interviewed affected people and compiled a report that revealed the persistent exclusion of people with disabilities across all sectors. The report provided practical recommendations to ensure protection for the rights of people with disabilities during times of armed conflict.
In addition, we worked with organisations representing people with disabilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to make our complaints and feedback mechanism more inclusive and effective.
We have undertaken extensive research into how we can ensure disability inclusion in our programmes across the world. Read our ‘Leave no one behind’ policy.
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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 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.