Climate emergency threatens peace as communities fight for water and land

This International Peace Day, find out how the climate emergency is causing communities to clash over precious natural resources – and what Islamic Relief is doing about it.

Severe drought in the Horn of Africa has left over 15.3 million people needing urgent humanitarian aid. It is the latest drought to have struck the region in recent years, and it has left many communities desperate.

Communities clash as pasture and wells dry up

Everything is becoming scarcer,” says Habbil, describing how years of failed rains have taken their toll on his village in Ethiopia’s Charati district.

“It has been like this for at least the last seven years in a row. It has been gradual but the impact has been devastating, killing off our cattle.”

In Ethiopia, a local woman woman makes a gruelling five kilometre trek to collect water.

People are forced to move around in search of water and pasture for their animals, and conflict flares up as they compete for access to these precious resources.

Local faith leader Sheikh Dakher says that Islamic Relief has helped ease tensions in the community:

“They have been providing water treatment and cash transfers during times of drought, and supporting us with livestock feed. They also helped to partially build our school.”

Read more: ‘On the frontline of the climate emergency: Dinto Village, Ethiopia’

Poorer families on the frontline of the climate emergency

Humanitarian aid is a lifeline that eases tension in communities on the frontline of the climate emergency – including in Somalia, where Islamic Relief is providing lifesaving emergency support to families pushed to the brink by successive droughts.

“Through our work, we know all too well that poor communities often become less able to cope every time they are hit by a disaster, because each disaster destroys valuable assets, like livestock, that people need to survive,” says Dr Sylvia Brown, Conflict Advisor for Islamic Relief.

The downward spiral into crisis is increasingly becoming a reality for many, as extreme weather events like drought are on the rise, according to the United Nations.

Mahdi Habid Gedi collects water from an Islamic Relief waterpoint in drought-stricken Somaliland.

Easing tensions and reducing conflict in communities

Long-term solutions are urgently needed, and that’s why Islamic Relief is delivering an innovative community peacebuilding initiative in Kenya’s poorest region.

“Northeast Kenya has a history of armed conflict over livestock and access to grazing land” says Dr Sylvia Brown.

“This type of conflict is made worse by climate change. For generations pastoral communities have reared livestock for food and income, but now precious pasture and water are in increasingly short supply and the competition over scarce resources is causing clashes.

“Furthermore, when livestock die as a result of drought there is increasing pressure on pastoral communities to engage in cattle rustling to replace their loss.”

Women make long journeys in search of water in northeastern Kenya.

Local people empowered to build peace and security in their communities

Through a £1 million community peacebuilding programme in Mandera County, northeast Kenya, we are supporting local people to build lasting peace themselves.

“As well as holding clan peace dialogues to build a collective approach to peace in the region, we are training women and young people to run peace councils that resolve disputes such as cattle theft,” explains Dr Sylvia Brown.

“We’re also supporting traditional community leaders and informal peace advocates like female teachers, faith leaders and community activists to work together to conserve precious natural resources, adapt to climate change and find peaceful solutions to the challenges they face.”

Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the programme also broadcasts a monthly radio talk show that promotes peace across the large, rural county.

Discussions on the show between clan, faith and community members help communities fix emerging issues before clashes break out and resolve conflict that has already begun.

Read more: ‘Supporting peace in communities pushed to the brink by climate change’

Traditional leaders and government officials address a community peace dialogue meeting in Mandera, Kenya.

Urgent action is needed to halt climate change

“As drought becomes more frequent and severe in the Horn of Africa, natural resources, agricultural productivity and livestock are diminishing and the millions of people who live in this region are becoming more vulnerable and desperate.

“Islamic Relief is doing all we can to help vulnerable communities, but much more is needed”, Dr Sylvia Brown warns.

Bold action on climate change is absolutely critical to prevent further catastrophe and a breakdown of social order in this fragile region. More support for interventions that blend humanitarian assistance, resilience strengthening and support to locally-led conflict prevention is also needed.

“In this climate emergency, the poorest communities are first in the firing line – but they will not be the last. If the world fails to act, the consequences will be dire for us all.”

As well as helping communities to adapt to the changing climate, Islamic Relief campaigns extensively for action to halt climate change.

Join in the International Peace Day conversation using #PeaceDay and donate now to support our lifesaving work.

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.