About the Situation
By the Numbers
More than 1,189,172,000 people live in India
25% of the people in India live below the poverty line
46% of children under the age of 3 are malnourished
(Sources: U.N. and U.S. government)
Despite a developing economy, India’s overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty and widespread corruption present significant challenges to its progress.
The Indian economy has also been further adversely affected by the 2007–2009 global economic crisis, according to the United Nations:
- The growth rate of the economy has slowed down
- Production rates have fallen
- Wages and earnings have decreased
- Unemployment has risen
These circumstances exacerbate already weak living conditions for many in India—the second most populous country in the world.
How Islamic Relief is Helping
Islamic ReliefTM has been working in India since 1994, often collaborating with local relief organizations to ensure that assistance is delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible. Islamic Relief opened a field office in India in 2008 to implement development programs to help alleviate growing needs for humanitarian aid.
Here are some current and recently completed programs in India:
- Emergency relief
Islamic Relief was quick to respond to two emergency situations in India: in 2004, a tsunami in the Indian Ocean left thousands dead and caused billions of dollars in damage; in 2010, monsoons flooded the country, decimating communities and livelihoods. Islamic Relief supplied survivors with essentials, including clothing, utensils, food, emergency relief kits and roofing materials to help families rebuild. - One-to-one orphan sponsorships
- Ramadan food distribution
- Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution
