Without help, displaced people worldwide will face Covid-19 catastrophe

Shahin Ashraf, Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy, warns that without further humanitarian intervention COVID-19 will inflict a terrible toll on displaced people and their livelihoods.

Shahin Ashraf, Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy.

Of the more than 7 billion people on Earth, few are now untouched by the coronavirus crisis. The dangerous virus has turned the world on its head, ended lives too soon, and – for many of us – changed the way we live and engage with other people.

With over 3.6 million confirmed cases so far, over a third of the planet’s population has been on lockdown to slow the spread of the virus. Some countries are now cautiously starting to lift restrictions on movement, but elsewhere full or partial lockdowns remain – with others likely having to introduce restrictions as the virus gets a foothold.

‘Stay home, stay safe, save lives’ is the crucial rallying cry. But what if home is nothing but a distant memory? What if home is a tent in a crowded refugee camp? Or a makeshift shelter in an abandoned building?

That’s the grim reality for many families facing the deadly disease COVID-19.

Uprooted from their homes by conflict or natural disaster, many rely on humanitarian organisations to provide a lifeline. Already in crisis, they now face yet another.

Islamic Relief, which is supporting those affected by some of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, knows all too well how vulnerable displaced families are in this pandemic.

A COVID outbreak could deepen suffering in war-torn Yemen, where millions are already on the brink of survival.

Catastrophe looms large for those uprooted from their homes

We know that on reaching Syria’s overcrowded camps or Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh – where over 40,000 people are crammed into each square kilometre – there’s currently little to slow the rampant spread of coronavirus from tent to tent and family to family. The stringent social distancing measures needed to slow the spread will not be available to those displaced.

COVID-19 could devastate displaced families in war-torn Yemen, where almost 16 million people wake up hungry every morning. Years of blockade and conflict for Palestinians in Gaza, with its population made up mostly of refugees, has left it with few resources to respond to this new threat.

And the virus also threatens makeshift camps sheltering people in West Africa trying to escape not only conflict, but also the effects of climate change, as natural disasters like drought and flooding becoming increasingly frequent and intense.

Since displaced people typically lack nutrition and access to potentially lifesaving water, hygiene, sanitation and healthcare, the consequences of a COVID-19 outbreak would be catastrophic.

Coronavirus would be getting its claws into people who are already on the edge of survival.

In Mali, COVID could be particularly catastrophic for families fleeing conflict and the effects of climate change.

Help for displaced people facing coronavirus

Our staff, volunteers and supporters share the losses and anxiety caused by COVID-19. But we do not forget the many people who desperately need our help. Those who, without humanitarian intervention, are least able to cope and likely will pay the heaviest price in this health crisis.

As the pandemic worsens many pre-existing vulnerabilities and gives rise to new ones, organisations like Islamic Relief are needed more than ever. Many people rely on our humanitarian programmes. We are rapidly finding new ways of working, to continue to deliver aid whilst observing social distancing.

Our water, sanitation and hygiene projects, for example, need to ensure people aren’t queuing close together for water – so we must facilitate social distancing by increasing water deliveries, adding temporary water points, appointing ‘caretakers’ to reduce the number of people touching taps, and enabling families to store water at home for longer.

With our Ramadan food distribution programme firmly underway, we’ve adapted our distributions to ensure 1 million vulnerable people still get the help they need, whilst delivering food parcels in the safest ways we can. The health and safety of our staff, our partners and the communities we serve is Islamic Relief s top priority.

A woman in Gaza buys food using an Islamic Relief voucher – one of the ways in which Islamic Relief has adapted its Ramadan distributions in line with local COVID guidelines.

In camps, where it’s difficult – if not impossible – for families to maintain social distance, handwashing is an especially important measure. Equally critical is that displaced people receive the information they need to help reduce transmission. From Mali to Yemen, Syria to Somalia and across the world, Islamic Relief is engaging communities through information campaigns and promoting good hygiene as part of our support for global efforts to fight coronavirus.

Fighting coronavirus together

Islamic Relief’s global COVID-19 response aims to respond in every country in which we have an office. We’re supporting the people most at risk. As well as those who are displaced from their homes by crisis and living in overcrowded conditions, this includes older people, those with serious health conditions, and those without access to clean water or medical care.

As well as promoting good hygiene practices and empowering communities with information, we’re already on the ground supporting and strengthening health systems. In countries such as Afghanistan, Kenya and South Sudan we’re equipping health workers with lifesaving personal protective equipment (PPE).

Understanding that the long term effects of this global health crisis could be grave for many, Islamic Relief’s COVID plan also includes making sure these, and the secondary impacts, are considered from the outset.

The scale of the challenge is enormous. So much more is needed in the days, weeks and months ahead. But Islamic Relief will not step back.

All aspects of life have a charitable input – whether in education, protection, health, family, faith or leadership. Millions will come out of this global health crisis with livelihoods in ruins, incomes lowered, and family members lost. It is up to us and we must take this seriously, not only during the peak of the crisis but also when we begin to exit it.

For those for whom home is not a safe place, for those who face this disease from an already precarious starting point, for those who need us more than ever, we step forward. And we do so together.

Donate to our Coronavirus Appeal 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.