Consulting 1,000 people across 16 countries

May 17, 2016 -

We asked people from 16 different countries what they want the World Humanitarian Summit to change

Over the last two years Islamic Relief has been collecting evidence and opinions on the greatest strengths and weaknesses of global humanitarian work. With The Humanitarian Forum we’ve held 16 national consultations (in Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, South Africa, Italy, Norway, Canada, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Germany) including nearly 1,000 participants, who told us:

  • grassroots organisations are being excluded, as decisions about aid requirements are made at regional, national or international level without local knowledge (often to the detriment of those in need),
  • counter-terrorism legislation is limiting aid delivery to people in conflict zones,
  • investment in short term emergency aid after disaster strikes is continuing to take the lion’s share of funding over woefully underfunded longer-term disaster prevention and preparation.

We’ve used these findings to shape the key messages we’re taking to the World Humanitarian Summit on May 23-24. Read more about our key messages here and see the summaries of our national consultations below.

 

Yemen (60 participants)
18th June ‘14
Recommended promoting the similarities between Islamic principles and international humanitarian principles in Yemeni society. Emphasised the need to highlight the contribution of Muslim communities to humanitarian action. Spoke specifically about respecting the social unit of the family and ensuring that that structure is maintained. Also talked about the common duplication of services provided and the absence of information about which organisation is delivering which service.

Tunisia (40 participants)
13th August ‘14
Discussed the need for organisations to have space to maintain their identity in humanitarian responses. Talked about including all actors in the planning and preparedness phases of humanitarian action to ensure effective ownership. Recommended that humanitarian actors identify sustainable sources of livelihood for affected and host communities during this process where possible.

Jordan (35 participants)
22nd June 2014
Debated the difference in traditions and cultural norms between the refugee communities, and the tensions emerging between refugees and host communities. Spoke about the power and resource base disparity between different actors in the supply chain, i.e. the donor, the implementing agency and the affected community.  Emphasised the significance of working closely with national governments for a well-co-ordinated humanitarian response and discouraging attempts to bypass that.

Somalia (80 participants)
18th August ‘14
Centred on ways to be proactive rather than reactive. Recommendations included adopting local ways of preparedness, use of local knowledge in the local environment and context, use of traditional warning/ prediction systems and the use of traditional response approaches and technology.

Uganda (40 participants)
20th October ‘14
Discussed the diversification of livelihood options post disaster, adoption of green technologies and the coordination of all actors including vigorous engagement with the private sector. Also spoke about increasing focus on prevention and developing robust, viable preparedness plans.

Ethiopia (43 participants)
21st August ‘14
Emphasised engaging the local government in different strands of humanitarian work in order to give local government workers a better idea of the different, interlinked humanitarian processes that are simultaneously at play.  Talked about strengthening government-NGO partnerships by creating appropriate forums conducive to better support.

Kenya (50 participants)
4th September ‘14
Discussed decentralising humanitarian action from the national level to the local level and engaging local communities through social media. Talked about the need for a legal framework to challenge the government’s current policy on taxing donations.

South Sudan (65 participants)
11th September ‘14
Discussed ways to get targeted humanitarian aid into the country in the absence of international humanitarian presence. Spoke about specialised coordination and community awareness and rehabilitation and economic and social integration.

South Africa (80 participants)
24th September ‘14
Discussed ways to encourage the private sector to engage better with NGOs and academia with regards to preparedness for and response to emergencies. Considered how to strengthen the role of communities in disaster risk reduction and delivering aid to disaster-affected people including youth, women, immigrants and refugees.

Sub-regional Grassroots Consultation East and Southern Africa (60 participants)
22nd-25th September ‘14
This consultation was attended by a variety of delegates including church groups, humanitarian activists, welfare organizations, refugee camp managers and NGO representatives who discussed various countries in East and Southern Africa. The talks at the sub-regional level were of a much greater scope that the national consultations and covered awareness of HIV, incorporating medical services into humanitarian responses, cross border movements and disease outbreaks. Mentioned the need for a well-rounded understanding of the root causes of conflict including the management and availability of natural resources. Spoke about corruption and climate change as well as “dead aid” i.e. the trillions of rands invested in Africa without correlating results.

Italy (80 participants)
9th January ‘15
This was a diaspora-focused consultation in which participants from diaspora communities and organisations in Italy were brought together to evaluate their role in humanitarian responses. Mentioned the different ways they engaged their communities but also mentioned that mobilisation is difficult because they are so few in number.

Plus six further consultations in:

Germany (17 participants)
10th January 2015

Canada (30 participants)
20th January ‘14

Norway (30 participants)
27th January ‘15

Bangladesh (49 participants)
18th May 2015

Afghanistan (90 participants)
21st May 2015

And Sri Lanka (132 participants)
26th May 2015

 

For Islamic Relief media interviews and enquires at the World Humanitarian Summit contact Mohammad Shakir on +447747022590 or [email protected]

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.