About the Situation
By the Numbers
More than 1, 336,718,000 people live in China
245 million Chinese live on less than $2 a day
More than 90% of China’s poor live in rural areas
(Source: U.S. government)
While China has made strides in reducing poverty in recent decades, it still has the second-largest population of impoverished people in the world. To make matters worse, efforts to assist the poor are impeded because of inaccessibility to the remote and rural areas in which most of them live.
As education becomes ever more important in raising income and living standards, limited access to education in China’s remote areas—due to both expense and distance—is perpetuating the cycle of poverty, contributing to a widening gap between the rich and the poor.
How Islamic Relief is Helping
Islamic ReliefTM launched its aid efforts in China in response to the 2002 Shaanxi floods. Following the initial emergency phase, Islamic Relief partnered with local population to build new homes in four villages. Islamic Relief then opened a permanent office in China to sustain ongoing efforts.
Here are some current and recently completed programs in China:
- Islamic microfinance for Pingliang
More than 1,300 families in the Kongtong district of Pingliang City in Gansu Province are benefiting from business-development support. Families have received improved access to interest-free credit so they can invest in incoming-generating activities, and farmers have received support and training on improved practices. - Fuyun integrated development
New irrigation systems and other agricultural projects helped boost revenues for hundreds of farmers in the Kongtong district. - Tonjiang education, health, and water supply program
More than 1,300 residents of Tonjiang County received assistance to develop sanitation, health and education systems, improving overall living conditions in the community. - Haiyuan ecological management
This project provided 1,500 farmers in Haiyuan county with a rainwater system to supply drinking water, as well as livestock. Teams also introduced more productive methods of farming and improved soil and water conversation through terracing and contoured planting. - Huan Xian rainwater catchment
This project provided safe drinking water for 220 families in Huan Xian County. - Ramadan food distribution
- Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution
