Water

Islamic Relief works with communities to establish and maintain clean, reliable water sources. Our live-saving interventions include installing irrigation systems, building water tanks and training communities on hygiene.

can provide hygiene and water storage kits for two displaced families in Afghanistan
can provide clean water to families in Niger
can supply and install 300 litre water tanks for drinking water for five families in Gaza
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Lifesaving water support

785 million people across the globe do not have access to clean water. As a result, many suffer from dehydration and disease, and some lose their lives.

Water is needed for everyday tasks such as washing and cooking, and many have to travel long distances to find small amounts of water, if they can find any at all.

Water is also needed for rearing livestock and watering crops. When rainfall and water supplies run low, many lose their livelihoods and struggle to feed their families.

Islamic Relief work with vulnerable communities to help create safe and reliable water sources.

Water
Our focus is on creating long-term and sustainable water sources. Our lifesaving interventions include installing irrigation systems, building water tanks, training communities, distributing hygiene kits and repairing viable water systems

Below are some examples some of the techniques we implement so that communities have a reliable source of water. 
Solar powered boreholes

Solar-powered boreholes offer a long-term solution to water scarcity and provide water to thousands of people. The water is pumped from the ground, using electricity generated from solar panels, making it a reliable clean, sustainable solution – even in the most remote areas.

The boreholes come with a water tank and an additional water distribution system. Islamic Relief also establish water management committees. 10 people per borehole are trained in water infrastructure management to ensure that the community benefits as much as possible from the water source.

After the borehole is drilled and fully set-up, the local community have a safe supply of water for drinking and irrigation. This eradicates the risk of contracting water-borne disease and enhances food production.

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Drip irrigation system

Drip irrigation is a specialised type of micro-irrigation which allows for water and nutrients to reach the roots of plant slowly and continuously. This provides a reliable source of water to local farmers.

Farmers are also trained with the skills they need to use and maintain this technology to ensure long-term sustainability.


The benefits of drip irrigation are vast: crop yields are normally double that of those yielded using tradition methods. Drip irrigation requires less labour, water and fertilisers and overall, these systems increase the productivity of crops, whilst reducing seasonal production costs for small holder farmers.

Micro dams
Micro dams are a great way to capture and store water for agricultural and domestic use. Islamic Relief has constructed micro dams in Mali to which store rainwater, which can later be used by local farmers to irrigate their crops. This has helped to improved food production and is helping to improve livelihoods for local families.

The micro dams are helping communities to combat the effect of climate change. They’re also helping women to become increasingly engaged within their communities, and are providing jobs for young people.
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Hand pumps

Flash flooding can ruin water supplies and spread water-borne diseases such as cholera. In some areas that are prone to regular flooding, such as in Bangladesh, ensuring water sources are not polluted is very important.

In order to maintain a supply of clean, safe water for communities in need, we’ve installed flood-resistant hand pumps. These specialised pumps are installed five feet above ground level and the body of water is covered sufficiently to ensure flood water doesn’t seep through.

These pumps typically each serve hundreds of families and ensure people do not need to take long journeys on a daily basis to collect clean water.

Rainwater storage cellar

In many countries, rainfall is seasonal and communities experience heavy rains followed by long periods of no rainfall at all. Ensuring water is effectively captured during heavy rainfall is essential to ensuring survival during the long, dry months.

One effective remedy to the lack of water has been to build large water storage cellars that capture large quantities of rainwater during the rainy season, which is then used for drinking as well as for irrigation of crops.

The storage cellars are helping thousands of farmers gain access to clean water for their crops and their livestock in order to earn a living from which to feed their families.

Water trucking

During times of emergency, many families are forced to flee their homes and urgently need access to clean water. The most effective way to provide fresh clean water is through water trucks.

Water trucking sometimes continues for a longer period of time, until longer-term solutions are developed.

Water trucking is an emergency response in almost all environments, as long as a reliable water source is available nearby.

This water is often a lifeline for vulnerable families.

Rainwater harvesting system

Rainwater is a natural source which can be harvested and stored to provide an ongoing water source. Ensuring water is effectively captured during heavy rainfall is essential to ensuring survival during dry periods.


Islamic Relief provide families with the tools and knowledge to gather rainwater in their local area, which they can later use to help grow food. This way of catching and storing water is particularly useful for those living in hilly or mountainous regions and provides families with easy access to clean water.

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Water ponds

Water ponds are designed to catch and store water, which can be used for cooking and for agricultural purposes such as watering crops.

Water-catchment has become increasing important to people living in areas affected by extremely hot weather and environmental shocks.

Water ponds provide crucial access to safe water and helps to save lives.

This water is often a lifeline for vulnerable families.

Rainwater harvesting system
Desalination is a critical process that removes salts and other minerals from salty water. In many places around the world, such as Gaza, desalination has become an essential water supply option, as these places lack freshwater but have access to seawater.

Due to the relatively high cost to maintain, this option is only suitable in a communal setting, such as in schools. It is only feasible to construct and maintain small desalination plants.

In Gaza, we’ve built small water desalination plants at specialist children’s centres, which look after children with special needs. This ensures children have a safe clean supply of water while they are in school.
Please donate to support our water programmes across the globe and help save lives.
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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.