Annual Report 2018: Islamic Relief calls for the world to act on Yemen

July 31, 2019 Yemen -

As Islamic Relief launches its 2018 Annual Report it calls on the world to act fast to end the war in Yemen.

“We know the world has the means to end this war, but it needs to act now,” said Naser Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide – commenting on the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, which looms large in the charity’s latest annual report.

“This is a man-made tragedy that has left 80% of the population in desperate need of aid, some of them on the brink of famine.”

On his recent visit to Yemen, Naser saw first-hand the extent of suffering – especially in the port city of Hodeida, which is a gateway for humanitarian access. “What I saw is really depressing. I visited clinics where we manage to treat children for malnutrition but then they get sick from cholera. The situation is really dire.”

Yemen remains the worst humanitarian crisis in the world according to the UN, and it is worsening. 380,000 cases of cholera were reported in 2018, and by July 2019 there have already been 460,000 cases. Deaths from cholera are also on the rise, almost half of them children.

Islamic Relief is at the forefront of responding to the crisis, operating in 19 of Yemen’s 22 governorates. In 2018, amidst the dangers of war, our teams fearlessly delivered food and emergency nutrition, trucked water into camps and supported health centres, reaching over 1.2 million people.

But with over 24 million now in need, there is only so much we can do.

“These figures are truly alarming yet funding remains dangerously low,” said Naser. The United Nations’ Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan needs $4.2 billion to deliver humanitarian assistance this year but only 32% of those requirements have been met.

“Yemen desperately needs a peace deal. I am still hoping that this will be the last year of war in Yemen, and that we will see all sides come together to find a durable solution to this conflict.

“When that happens, Islamic Relief will be there to help rebuild lives, as we have been there throughout this devastating war.”

Rice farmer Koura Sinayogo was able to increase her earnings thanks to an Islamic Relief scheme in Mali.

The wider impact of conflict

As Islamic Relief’s new annual report highlights, the fact that over 50% of our funds are being drawn to responding to emergencies, like the Yemen and Syria conflicts, impacts our ability to deliver development programmes that provide lasting routes out of poverty and empower people to transform their lives.

This is especially critical in countries that are impacted by neighbouring conflicts as well as regions like west Africa that are some of the poorest in the world, yet some of the most neglected.

In 2018 we supported almost 2.5 million people globally through 267 development programmes, but we know that so much more needs to be done.

“It is only a halt in conflict that will allow us to focus our efforts on helping communities emerge from poverty and vulnerability, and work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Naser.

Working together as one family

Islamic Relief’s income in 2018 was a record £127.9m, thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners. We delivered our largest ever Ramadan and Qurbani food distribution projects and the number of orphans we sponsor reached 60,000.

In 2018 we continued to campaign for change at all levels, from grassroots community action against gender injustice to advocating for sustainable environmental policies. Islamic Relief became part of the UN Faith Advisory Council this year and along with Christian and Jewish partners, we highlighted the importance of faith-based collaboration in humanitarian work at the US Congress.

In Iraq, Islamic Relief staff championed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

“It is only by working together that we can make the world a safer and fairer place,” said Naser. “I am deeply grateful for all those who continue to support our work. In 2018 we received the support and funding of major humanitarian actors, as well as individuals in some of the poorest parts of the world.

“It is truly humbling to receive a donation from those who have very little themselves, because they are moved by the suffering of others. That is the family of Islamic Relief I am honoured to be part of.”

Find out more in the 2018 Annual Report.

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.