2004 tsunami: ten years on, we remember

On December 26, 2004, just after 8am local time, a tsunami rolled from the sea and across the land, killing thousands of people in Indonesia.

It affected 12 countries in all, with around 230,000 people losing their lives and a further 1.5 million people made homeless.

Local footage of the tsunami shows its speed and scale in Indonesia, the worst-hit country. In Aceh, in northern Sumatra, 170,000 people died, a third of the population lost their homes, and 800,000 people lost their livelihoods. Schools, hospitals and health clinics were wrecked.

With offices already in Indonesia, our emergency work started the day following the tsunami. We supplied ambulances and mobile health clinics and two cargo planes packed with medical and hygiene supplies – 30,000kg of medical supplies and 28,000 of hygiene kits. In the days following the tsunami, we handed out 48,000 litres of water every day.

Emergency

Syed Abdul Razak, country director of our Indonesia office, said: “We already had an office in the area and had emergency response systems in place, so we were able to use these to respond immediately by delivering life-saving relief activities including the provision of humanitarian supplies and emergency healthcare services. We were one of the first charities on the ground following the tsunami. There was so much to do, with homes destroyed and people desperately searching for loved ones who had been caught in the tsunami. In most cases, these loved ones were never found. In giving emergency shelter, food, water, basic hygiene and medical supplies and healthcare, we were able to meet some of their immediate needs.”

When April arrived, Islamic Relief had cleared land and identified plots which were stable enough to build on, so we started to build replacement homes for the tsunami survivors. By June 2005, we had repaired two damaged schools, held health and hygiene training in nine places to help prevent the outbreak of disease, started our cash-for-work scheme to help people get back on their feet, organised and funded long-term care for 300 orphans, and began work on 100 permanent homes.

Islamic Relief staff handing aid pack to beneficiaries.
Islamic Relief staff handing aid pack to beneficiaries.

One-year on

Islamic Relief continued assisting Indonesians to rebuild their shattered lives and communities. In the year following the tsunami, we trained more than 100 midwives, built eight schools and 12 health clinics, immunised 3,500 children against disease, provided food packages to 17,000 families, and donated buses to help the government transport displaced people.

Syed Abdul Razak added: “It is strange looking at the figures of the many of thousands of people we helped. They were not just numbers; each of these people had a terrible story of loss and suffering to tell”

“As well as humanitarian assistance, Islamic Relief made a significant contribution to recovery and development efforts. In our efforts to build back better we initiated the reconstruction of schools and offer vocational training to tsunami victims to help them generate income. Within three years of the tsunami, we had built 27 clinics and a hospital, and trained 200 health professionals and a further 116 midwives. We built 23 new schools, repaired nine others and provided books, furniture and equipment to 30 schools and nurseries. We were able to see people’s lives steadily improving as they got back into work and routines, and made their newly-built houses their homes. Our livelihoods activities are not limited to individuals, we provided sustainable income generation support to 11 orphanages and traditional boarding schools in Aceh through aquaculture, vegetable and poultry farming activities. Supported orphanages have increased their incomes manifolds and the proceeds are used to provide improve living conditions and learning environment to the poor children enrolled in these institutions.

Islamic Relief building new homes for survivors.
Islamic Relief building new homes for survivors.

Ten years on

“Ten years have passed since the tsunami, and Indonesia is barely recognisable now from the one left behind after the tsunami. Of course, many people will never forget the tsunami and what it took from them, but the incredible response from all across the world significantly minimised the consequences of the enormous damage it caused.”

Read our tsunami anniversary stories

Marlina on working for Islamic Relief
Beneficiary Erlina on prioritising education
Aisha on taking sanctuary
Our work to help communities be more prepared for disasters in the future
Working with the Disasters Emergency Committee
Rubama on educating her children
Zuraida on life since the tsunami
How our office in Indonesia marked the 10-year anniversary

 

 

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.