Thanks to your big-hearted donations to our Ramadan Appeal 2014, poor families in more than 30 countries have received nourishing food parcels.
“I thank Islamic Relief for all of this food”
Koka Albikhadzhieva, 47, received one of over 3,700 foodpacks distributed in the Chechen Republic. Bedbound for two decades, Koka looks forward to Ramadan as a special time in which she strives to move closer to God.
The parcel – which was filled with essential staples including buckwheat, flour and rice – helped Koka to break her fast without the worry of finding food.
“The Ramadan parcel was a great surprise,” said Koka. “It will help me to save money for medicines and save me from hunger. Everybody knows Islamic Relief, because it has helped thousands and thousands of poor people here. I thank Islamic Relief for all of this food.”
“Thanks to God, He brought Islamic Relief to our house”
Ibrahim Mamo Jarrso lives in Moyale Town, Ethiopia. Since his left leg was amputated, he has been unable to earn a living as a farmer – and with five children to provide for, life is hard. Ibrahim received one of 800 food parcels distributed by Islamic Relief in his community.
“Thanks to God, He brought Islamic Relief to our house so we do not have to worry about meals for the next seven days or so,” said Ibrahim. “I don’t have enough words to express what the food distribution means to me and my family.”
“The impact of the food parcels are immeasurable”
Father-of-three Vilus Marcelin, 38, lives in Tabarre, Haiti. He runs a small shop – and when the business struggles he and his family go without food.
“The impact of the food parcels are immeasurable,” said Vilus when he arrived at the distribution point to collect his Islamic Relief foodpack. “For most of families present here, this is the first time they will have a pack of rice this size at home.
“It means they won’t be worried about food for at least one month. Our children will eat very well during this month. And we parents are very happy about that.”
“I thank all the donors throughout the world”
In the family of Aminata Traore, there are 11 children. They live together with Aminata’s stepsisters in Bamako, Mali. Since Aminata, 48, was widowed, she has been the sole breadwinner for the family.
Aminata struggled to provide for the family, but then one of her children joined the Islamic Relief orphan sponsorship scheme. Now, she receives a regular allowance that helps meet the basic needs of her family. She also benefits from a range of other schemes for vulnerable families in Mali – including our Ramadan distribution.
“The [food] packages are a great support to us during the month of Ramadan. They removed a great burden from my back. I thank all the donors throughout the world.
“I am very happy and grateful to them for all the things they are doing for us. May God reward them with the best rewards in this life and in the next.”
“I thank you, and may God bless you”
Taqeea Ahmed Qaid, 29, lives in the capital city of Yemen, a country in which 10.5 million people are thought to require food aid. Her family-of-six rely on what her husband earns, but it is hard to make ends meet.
During Ramadan, it is especially hard for Taqeea to meet the needs of her family – so a food parcel from Islamic Relief made a big difference. One of more than 9,100 foodpacks distributed in Yemen this year, it contained essential items to ease hunger and hardship during the holy month. Flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil and dates were included.
“[Now we have] secure food for three weeks. We are all happy, especially my husband, as he does not have to worry about food for the rest of Ramadan. I thank you, and may God bless you.”
Thank you for supporting our efforts to relieve hunger and hardship at Ramadan. Find out more about our food distributions worldwide in our Ramadan 2014 photo gallery.