The El Nino weather phenomenon has caused torrential rains and flash floods across parts of East Africa since mid-2023. Reports indicate that more than 350 people have been killed and 1 million people have been displaced across the region. The city of Beledweyne, Somalia alone is 85% underwater. Aid agencies have also reported surges of waterborne diseases like cholera and acute diarrhea due to damaged latrines and lack of access to safe drinking water.
While Islamic Relief has been on the ground across Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia since early 2023, we have relaunched an emergency appeal due to the continued need for vulnerable families across the region. Your donations can help provide access to immediate aid, and through your continued support, we can expand programming that works to provide long-term solutions in drought-prone and flood-prone areas.
Violence has escalated after months of ongoing tension across the region. Over 31,000 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured or deemed missing. In Gaza specifically, a ‘total blockade’ is in place, cutting off 2 million civilians from access to food, electricity, and fuel.
United Nations officials are warning of an impending famine; the total number of housing units destroyed or damaged accounts for over 60% of all housing units; and more than 90% of the population has been displaced with hundreds of thousands of people sleeping in the open with inadequate clothing to fight the cold.
The attack on the health system has been particularly devastating. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 14 out of 36 of Gaza’s hospitals are partially functional, facing challenges with the shortage of medical staff and lack of essential medical supplies. They also shared that more people will die of disease if we’re not able to put the health system back together and provide people with the basics of life.
While issues related to the delivery of humanitarian aid persist, IRUSA partners are continuing to work on the following interventions:
Our partners are also continuing to work on the procurement and stockpiling of water, food and non-food items, and medical supplies, to be delivered once a pathway for humanitarian aid is established.
Four major earthquakes, each of a magnitude between 4.7 and 6.3, have hit the Herat region since October 7. Over 2,000 people have died; thousands of people have been injured; and more than 3,000 homes have been completely destroyed, leaving people homeless. The number of people directly affected has risen to more than 40,000.
“The people of Afghanistan have already been through so much suffering. This earthquake is now a double calamity for many families who urgently need our support. We are appealing for as much financial assistance to help those affected by this disaster. Many people have lost loved ones, and many [are] injured. Their needs will be huge in the days to come.” – Umair Hasan, Islamic Relief Afghanistan Country Director
Islamic Relief is working with local partners to provide emergency relief and promote long-term recovery. The initial emergency response includes cash assistance for food and other basic needs; essential non-food items including hygiene kits; and transitional shelter and rental assistance.
Early recovery goals include construction of shelters; rehabilitation of water sources and construction of latrines; cash-for-work opportunities to repair community infrastructure; skill-based training and promotion of income-generating activities; and formation of community self-help groups (SHG’s). Our goal is to help restore hope and dignity to families in Afghanistan as they rebuild their homes and communities.