East Africa Emergency
Families in East Africa are facing a dire humanitarian crisis amid climate change and extreme weather events.
Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya have been experiencing severe flooding as a result of heavy rainfall this Autumn, taking the lives of over 100 people and displacing over 700,000 across East Africa, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The floods have further crippled the already struggling region, which has also seen one of the worst droughts in history between 2020 and 2023, and left millions of people not knowing where their next meal is coming from.
There are fears that the recent floods will push those already struggling to the brink of survival.
Over 20 million people face starvation, with millions of children expected to suffer from malnutrition. The flooding has caused significant damage to clean water facilities, leading to the risk of water-borne diseases and malaria. Affected families are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
To make matters worse, the healthcare system in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are on the brink of collapse, and many hospitals have been damaged by the floods.
Impact of the drought: Somalia is amongst the hardest hit by the drought in East Africa. Currently, almost 90 per cent of the country’s districts (66 out of 74) have been struck and approximately 4.3 million people are in desperate need of immediate aid.
According to the UN, 271,000 people in Somalia have been forced to abandon their homes in a desperate attempt to reach food, water, and pasture – exposing them to many more terrifying dangers.
Gender-based violence, disease outbreaks due to a lack of access to sanitation and hygiene facilities, a lack of adequate shelter and more, face the hundreds of thousands as they leave home in search of food and water.
Impact of the floods: 1.24 million people have been affected by the floods in Somalia, and 32 people have lost their lives.
457,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
There are fears of the situation deteriorating, as extreme heavy rainfall has been predicted in Southern Somalia, as well as parts of Somaliland and Galmudug State.
The humanitarian situation in Somalia is dire, and families are in urgent need of aid. The floods have caused road blockages, making it difficult for aid to be delivered.
Islamic Relief Somalia teams are supporting nearly 5,000 people affected by the floods with cash grants which will cover their needs for three months.
With your support, we will also be providing affected families with hygiene kits and other essential items, as well as cash support to additional families in several regions such as Badhere and Baladweyne.
We are also planning to distribute food packs to 100 families, and to construct emergency toilets for displaced families.
Islamic Relief has worked in Somalia for 15 years and are now working tirelessly to respond to the current crisis unfolding.
Today, one of the world’s most extreme hunger crises is facing the people of Ethiopia, in East Africa. The UN estimates there are now 13.6 million people in dire need of food aid.
Impact of the drought: One of the worst areas to be hit by the growing drought crisis is Borena, in the Oromia region, which shares a southern border with Kenya. There, 69,000 livestock have died due to the effects of a drought, cutting off livelihoods and provisions for thousands of people who have nowhere else to turn for food and income.
To add further to the terrifying circumstances unfolding in Ethiopia, the northern region continues to be one of the most dangerous places to deliver aid.
Conflict in the northern region of Tigray in late 2020 has sprung into action blockades that prevent essential food and medicine from reaching people in need. As a result, many hundreds of thousands of people are starving to death.
Impact of the floods: Over 760,000 people in Ethiopia have been affected by heavy rains, floods, and landslides and 43 people have lost their lives.
Families have also been displaced as a result of the flooding, and are in urgent need of aid. In the Afar region alone, over 2, 200 families have been forced to flee their homes.
Many flooded areas remain inaccessible and hard-to-reach as multiple routes and bridges have been damaged.
Islamic Relief teams in Ethiopia are providing vulnerable families with cash grants, as well as hygiene kits in the worst-affected areas of Afder and Borana.
We are one of the few international organisations providing foodstuffs such as oil, pulses, rice, sugar and salt on the ground. We also run eight mobile health units which are a crucial source of wellbeing for displaced people in the conflict-affected region of Afar in the north, with plans to extend our reach to those in the south.
Impact of the drought: The growing drought crisis in Kenya has been a devastating blow for the many vulnerable people living in the northern, north-eastern, and coastal areas of the country. They are now experiencing one of their worst rainfalls in decades.
For the millions of people who depend largely on agriculture for income, the drought has ripped them of their livelihoods and plunged them into dire circumstances. More than 1.4 million cows, sheep, goats, and camels have already died, causing milk production to drop to less than half of normal levels. Food insecurity across the country poses the biggest threat to the survival of children, the elderly, women and men.
With livestock rapidly declining, many have been forced to walk to source pasture, food and water supplies. Currently, 2.9 million people are in need of urgent food aid and humanitarian assistance.
Impact of the floods: 19 of the country’s 47 counties have now been affected by flooding which began in late October 2023. 46 people have now lost their lives, and 58,000 people have been displaced from their homes across the country.
Many communities have also been left isolated as flooding has damaged or destroyed roads and bridges.
Homes, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have been destroyed.
Crops and large numbers of livestock have been lost, making the food crisis in the country even worse.
Islamic Relief Kenya team are providing affected families with cash grants, as well as seeds and animal vaccinations to help rebuild livelihoods.
We have also been providing thousands of drought-affected families with cash transfers to help people in remote areas.
Islamic Relief have been on the ground in the East Africa region for over 15 years, working to provide sustainable solutions and response mechanisms to climate changes occurring in the area. However, the frequency and intensity of the droughts are leaving these resilient communities with no time to recover in between disasters.
That’s why Islamic Relief urgently needs your help to support and provide the aid these people need to survive.
Boreholes, micro-dams, and new irrigation systems provided by Islamic Relief across the decades are effective long-term solutions for the many communities who have been able to reach them, or produce crops for a longer period. However, with hundreds of thousands fleeing to limited resources, Islamic Relief needs your help to provide urgent aid provisions, such as food, shelter, and water items.
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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 Interim 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.