An unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as death toll passes 25,000

January 23, 2024 Occupied Palestinian Territory -

The people of Gaza are enduring an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe after more than 3 months of relentless bombardment.

The death toll has passed 25,000, with an estimated 1 in every 25 people in Gaza now injured or dead.
International laws are being ignored and global leaders have failed to act to stop the massacre in which civilians are being killed at the fastest rate of any conflict this century.

Around 100 children a day have been killed over the last 3 months, and this number is expected to rise as the threat from hunger and disease grows.

Despite the enormous need, very little aid is being allowed into Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is worsening by the day. To stop this suffering, Islamic Relief continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and an end to the Israeli siege.

World’s worst hunger crisis

Amid displacement and bombardment, people in Gaza are suffering the world’s worst hunger crisis.

Thousands are starving and most families are now going days without eating anything at all. Islamic Relief staff have described desperate children roaming the streets in search of scraps and emaciated newborn babies dying from disease and hunger.

Most of Gaza’s fertile farmland has been destroyed and almost all agricultural, livestock and fishing activities have halted due to the bombing. Bakeries have been destroyed or cannot operate because of a lack of fuel, water and flour. And as food runs out, prices are rising, making it even harder for the families to eat.

This devastating hunger crisis is entirely man made.

Islamic Relief provides cooked meals to families at a shelter in January

Displacement and destruction

Displacement has added to the challenges of finding food, as mass movement within the Gaza Strip puts strain on dwindling resources.

Over 1.7 million people – 80% of the population – are now displaced. Many have had to move more than once in search of safety, which cannot be found amid the ongoing bombardment.

Many families have gathered in extremely overcrowded shelters where diseases are rapidly spreading. The cramped conditions have left families without sufficient shelter, which is increasingly dangerous as winter temperatures bite.

The scale of the damage the bombardment has already caused is difficult to comprehend. Already crippled by siege, much of Gaza’s basic services have collapsed.

Hospitals are unable to cope with the flow of injured and sick people – around 60% are now out of operation while those still functioning are struggling to continue. Meanwhile 90% of school buildings have been damaged, killing thousands of students. The lack of fuel has made it impossible to deliver water, collect garbage or operate Gaza’s power plant.

Israeli authorities continue to shut down telecommunications for days at a time, leaving civilians unable to call for assistance, keep up to date with the news or contact their loved ones. The shut downs also significantly impact aid delivery.

Unwavering support

Islamic Relief teams are on the ground every day delivering food and other essential aid to people in desperate need.

The public’s support and the dedication of our staff and partners in Gaza, who are grappling with the same challenges as the communities they’re supporting, have made it possible to continue supporting vulnerable people.

In the first days of the crisis, we distributed more than 2 million items of medical supplies to support hospitals and health facilities. Since then, we have been helping to feed families with hot meals, cash and fresh vegetables; providing clean water, soap, toothbrushes and menstrual products so people can maintain hygiene, and offered blankets and mattresses to ease the suffering of displaced families.

Islamic Relief distributes fresh vegetables in Gaza in January

We continue to support the children of Gaza with counselling and mental health activities, including games and performances staged in shelters to provide respite from the stress they’re enduring. We have also continued to transfer money to help provide for thousands of children supported by the Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Gaza.

This work continues to make a real difference to the lives of Palestinians enduring unimaginable hardship – but it is not enough. Each moment the bombardment of besieged Gaza continues, more lives are being lost and futures shattered. We cannot allow this to continue. We are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and an end to the Israeli siege.

Please help Islamic Relief to continue supporting vulnerable people in Gaza. Donate now.

new director

Director of Network and Resource 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

General Counsel

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

Director of Network and Resource 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.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

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.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

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.