Still we stand: 11 years of strength and survival in Syria

March 15, 2022 Syrian Arab Republic -

The people of Syria have endured 11 devastating, desperate years and a burden almost too great to bear. The unremitting crisis has taken their homes, their livelihoods and education, their health and even their loved ones.

The figures are stark:

  • 14.6 million of Syria’s total population of 17 million people need humanitarian support
  • Approximately 400,000 people have been killed and more than half of the population have fled their homes, many repeatedly
  • Nearly 90% of the Syrian population live below the poverty line, while over a third live in abject poverty, faced with a daily and relentless struggle to survive
  • Many lack access to the most basic resources and services, including food, clean water and rudimentary healthcare
  • Spiralling food costs have pushed millions of Syrians into chronic food insecurity, unsure of where their children’s next meal will come from. Malnutrition is rife
  • At least 50% of the working age population is unemployed, while many of those who can find work struggle to earn a sufficient living to feed their families
  • At least 2.4 million children are out of school and many more struggle to access a safe education
  • A child is killed every 10 hours due to violence. 7 million children are in urgent need of support.

The collapse of the economy and vital services has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the cumulative impact of 11 years of struggle and suffering.

With little prospect of an imminent resolution to the crisis, many Syrians are right now facing some of the worst conditions and greatest challenges of the last 11 years.

Umm Anwar with her daughter outside their tent in Kfarehmol camp, Syria.

It is particularly difficult for the 6.9 million individuals thought to be still internally displaced within Syria – people like Umm Anwar, who lives in Kfarehmol camp. The widowed woman has heart disease, so her 15-year-old daughter is the family’s sole breadwinner.

“I feel guilty about my child who works… she is young and should not work,” says the mother-of-4, explaining that the little her teenaged daughter earns means they often go hungry. “When I lost my home and my husband, I felt like I had lost everything. We only have this tent left where we close the door with a blanket.”

Ready for a future beyond crisis

Yet despite the unabating hardship they face, the Syrian people are not broken.

They stand ready for peace, ready to rebuild their shattered lives and ready to lay the foundations for a new future.

A future beyond crisis, where children can return to school free from fear; where the many widows and broken families can once again earn a living and support their children to prosper.

A future in which displaced families can escape the camps, where only a thin blanket masquerading as a door to their tent protects them from the realities of the outside world.

Nearly 12 million people helped

Islamic Relief continues to stand with the people of Syria.

Since the onset of the crisis, we have provided emergency relief and humanitarian aid, assisting nearly 12 million vulnerable people across the country, as well as refugee communities in neighbouring countries.

We have:

  • reached more than 3 million people through Ramadan and qurbani distributions
  • provided emergency food aid to more than 1.5 million people, including approximately 680,000 internally displaced Syrians forced to flee their homes
  • given essential winter survival assistance to nearly 1 million people
  • delivered vital healthcare support to almost 1.3 million people as part of our Covid-19 response efforts.

Standing alongside the Syrian people for 11 years

We have been providing lifesaving emergency aid – and we are also supporting the incredible, resilient people of Syria to regain some self-reliance.

We have established the only specialist heart surgery centre in northern Syria, treating patients who would otherwise be forced to make the dangerous journey to seek expensive treatment in a neighbouring country or whose untreated conditions would eventually lead to their death.

Ahmed, who doctors were surprised to find still alive due to the extent of his heart disease, received free treatment at the centre: “I feel like I’ve been born again and my heart is pumping perfectly. The centre is a lifeline for heart patients who do not have the money or the ability to travel.”

Ahmed received life-saving medical treatment at our heart surgery centre in northern Syria.

We have been at the forefront of the Covid-19 response, running mobile healthcare facilities, raising awareness and delivering life-saving equipment. We seek to ensure the most vulnerable can access free healthcare facilities.

This involves providing transport for those who would otherwise be unable to obtain medical treatment, wages to healthcare staff, essential training and emergency funding to help with running costs and to keep as many health facilities open as we possibly can.

In 2021, we helped over 28,000 Syrian children to receive a safe, high-quality education. Our funding provides monthly stipends to teachers, desks, laptops and printers, stationery, books and daily meals, as well as counselling and wellbeing support to help traumatised children to come to terms with everything they have seen and experienced.

Islamic Relief chief executive Waseem Ahmad said: “The suffering and hardship that the Syrian people continue to face is absolutely heart-breaking. Yet they have not given up hope for a brighter future. They have not given up on peace. We must not give up on them. Please help Islamic Relief continue to save lives and stand with the Syrian people.”

Children at a school supported by Islamic Relief in northern Syria.

Help us continue to save lives and futures

With your support, we have remained alongside the people of Syria for the past 11 years. As they enter their 12th year of crisis, they need us still.

Will you still stand with the people of Syria?

Your donations mean we can go on giving lifesaving aid. We can ensure that people do not have to die of treatable health conditions. We can provide the next generation of Syrians with an education. And we can support the strong, inspiring people of Syria as they strive to build a better future.

Please continue to stand with the people of Syria: Donate now.

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.