More than 3 decades of unwavering support for Afghanistan’s vulnerable people

August 15, 2023 Afghanistan -

A report launched today details how Islamic Relief has been changing lives in Afghanistan since 1992.

Across 15 provinces, we respond to major disasters and carry out long-term development programmes, including projects supporting women and girls, and orphaned children.

Decades of political and economic instability have taken their toll on Afghanistan and its people, while the negative effects of climate change threaten livelihoods and communities.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s already declining economy has completely collapsed. Almost 23 million Afghans – more than half the population – are now suffering from critical food and cash shortages, and the situation continues to worsen.

Against this backdrop, Islamic Relief is working to address the root causes of hunger, while empowering Afghans towards becoming self-reliant once more through business training, cash-for-work programmes and other livelihoods endeavours.

We also work in the education and health sectors, and Afghanistan is home to Islamic Relief’s largest winterisation programme, which sees food, blankets, fuel and other essentials provided so vulnerable families can cope in the colder months.

Joining together to support vulnerable people

Islamic Relief remains committed to supporting vulnerable people in Afghanistan and adapting this support to changing needs on the ground. 

Our partnerships with other organisations are enabling us to expand our response and reach even more people in need.

In 2022, we signed a landmark £16.7 million partnership agreement with the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), joining the Area Based Approach for Development Emergency Initiative (ABADEI) programme.

Work underway on rehabilitating waterways in Nangarhar province

The programme aims to boost food production, inject cash into the local economy and support female entrepreneurs in some of the country’s poorest areas.

Regular flooding has damaged irrigation in Shekanja village, located in Herat province’s rural Karukh district, making it difficult for farmers to grow and tend to their crops.

Through ABADEI, Islamic Relief oversaw the construction of a 120-metre-long, 5-metre-high flood protection wall, and protected the foundations of an aqueduct that channels water to the fields. Around 70 local people worked on the project each day, receiving an income at a time when jobs are hard to come by.

“The project brought jobs and a good wage for people who are unemployed,” Abdel, a local farmer says.

“Previously people went to Iran to look for jobs, because there’s no work here. But if there are opportunities here then they will stay. This means more people can stay here, and people who left their country can come back as now they can earn money from agriculture.”

Abdel is one of more than 170,000 people supported by this programme so far.

Helping children fulfil their dreams

In a country where women and girls have been almost totally excluded from public life, orphaned girls are particularly at risk of missing out on an education. Currently, only girls of primary school age (age 12 and below) are allowed to attend school.

10-year-old Samira* moved in with her uncle in Jalalabad city, after both of her parents passed away. She has 5 siblings: 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Samira in attendance at Khoog Koor orphanage school

Samira’s uncle was struggling to care for the children until her heard about Khoog Koor orphanage school, which Islamic Relief supports.

Samira is one of the 370 orphaned children enrolled at Khoog Koor, a safe environment that provides refuge, as well as an education, for free.

Khoog Koor School supplies children with school uniforms and stationery and is well furnished, with a playground, computer lab and science lab.

“I’m thrilled to be able to continue with my education in Khoog Koor School.” Samira, who dreams of becoming a doctor, tells Islamic Relief.

“I’m provided with all the learning materials I needed, and I’ve started to learn many new things.”

Islamic Relief’s work with children also includes our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, which has so far supported approximately 9,000 orphaned children in Afghanistan with a regular stipend towards their basic needs and schooling.

Read Islamic Relief in Afghanistan today to learn more about the vital work Islamic Relief is doing. Help us to continue supporting the most vulnerable communities in Afghanistan by donating today.

*Name changed to protect identity

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.