Islamic Relief looks back on a year of standing in 2025 with communities suffering through crisis and hardship, with the support of our incredible donors and partners around the world.
Together, we touched an estimated 26.7 million* lives in 2025.
Across 35 countries, our staff and partners helped empower vulnerable communities to lift themselves out of poverty and weather desperate crises.
We delivered 607 projects, including 137 humanitarian aid interventions and 466 development projects.
As we reflect on some of the biggest moments of the year, we are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by the communities we serve and our donors, volunteers and colleagues.
January
The first weeks of the year bring some respite to the desperate crisis in Gaza when, after almost 500 days of relentless bombardment, a ceasefire comes into effect.
Islamic Relief begins expanding our support for vulnerable people in Gaza by working with our partners to provide more emergency relief, and making plans to scale up our response.
Heartbreakingly, the people of Gaza are plunged back into an unrelenting nightmare as Israel ends the ceasefire by resuming bombing and blocking aid.
In Gaza and around the world, Islamic Relief’s Winterisation program is helping families to survive the coldest months. In Bangladesh, we provide blankets, fuel and warm clothing to families in need.
While in Afghanistan, your donations help us bring warmth and hope to the country’s poorest province.
February
With the sighting of the crescent moon, Muslims around the world begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. Our annual Ramadan distribution program reaches more than 844,400 people in 32 countries with food to break their fast and ease their suffering.
March
Yemen marks the grim milestone of a decade of protracted crisis. Over the last 10 years, its people have weathered a brutal war, the worst cholera outbreak in modern history, malnutrition and severe economic decline.
Almost half of the population do not know where their next meal is coming from, and many have lost their livelihoods. Amid chronic desperation, Islamic Relief remains committed to providing lifesaving and life-changing support to Yemenis in need.
April
The crisis in Sudan enters its third year, with no end in sight to the conflict. An Islamic Relief aid worker on the ground writes of his unwavering humanitarian commitment amid a relentless cycle of displacement, hunger and fear.
May
Hunger remains 1 of the world’s most pressing crises, with millions of people around the world unsure where their next meal is coming from. On World Hunger Day, we highlight voices from Sudan, where families are surviving on the brink of starvation.
To alleviate hunger, our annual qurban distribution begins, bringing the joy of Eid and a rare opportunity to eat meat to many families in need around the world.
June
World Environment Day and World Refugee Day bring opportunities to spotlight 2 issues at the heart of Islamic Relief’s campaigns.
We share stories of how boreholes are beating plastic pollution in Somalia. Innovative latrines are restoring comfort and dignity in Bangladesh’s waterlogged villages.
July
Islamic Relief marks 30 years since the Srebrenica Genocide with a major campaign. We share stories of survival and resilience from families still picking up the pieces of their lives.
We also published our 2024 Annual Report, looking back on a year marked by enduring and devastating crises. A year in which we spent more money than ever before to support vulnerable people worldwide.
August
Severe flooding sweeps across large regions of Pakistan, affecting an estimated 6.9 million people. Islamic Relief is on the ground supporting affected families in Punjab within 48 hours. By mid-September, we reached over 100,000 people.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to return to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries each day. They arrive as a part of a mass exodus that has been ongoing since September 2023. From morning until night, Islamic Relief staff work to support the returnees with information, food and water.
September
Islamic Relief launches an emergency appeal as Afghanistan is rocked by powerful earthquakes, which kill thousands and displace thousands more. We provide medical aid and begin distributing tents and meals to people who have lost everything.
October
October brings 2 grim anniversaries as both Gaza and Lebanon mark 2 years of crisis. We launch a campaign to secure sponsorship for the more than 7,000 orphaned children on our waiting list in Gaza as another ceasefire is agreed.
Islamic Relief also launches an appeal to support people affected by the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in modern history. The island was battered by Hurricane Melissa, which left people without homes and parts of the country submerged.
Amid these disasters, Islamic Relief staff also took time to reflect on the past, with an aid worker in Pakistan remembering the deadly Kashmir earthquake 20 years on.
November
Political leaders, civil society organisations and activists from around the world convene in Brazil for COP30. The annual climate summit brings tentative agreements on concrete steps needed to tackle the climate crisis, but many parties remain focused on reacting to short-term challenges, rather than planning for the future.
Islamic Relief launches our annual Winter Appeal to help vulnerable people stay warm during the harshest months. We also publish a new report on how community-led kitchens are saving lives in Sudan.
December
As 2025 draws to a close, Syria marks 1 year since the momentous political change created new opportunities to address the country’s prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Islamic Relief has been working in Syria since 2011, remaining on the ground as the crisis erupted, deepened and stretched on.
In 2025, we continue to work to meet the needs of vulnerable Syrians as the situation on the ground changes. We rebuilt homes, schools and livelihoods to help build a better future.
Devastating flooding sweeps across several Asian countries, affecting more than 1 million people in Indonesia and devastating parts of Thailand and Sri Lanka.
More than 1,000 people are killed and many more left homeless as roads remain impassible and food shortages loom. Islamic Relief begins working with the Indonesian navy to bring supplies to flood-affected areas, and launches a response in Sri Lanka.
We look towards 2026 with renewed vigour and determination to continue to honour your trust in us.
We know that the world’s crises will not end with the calendar year and that the suffering of many of the communities we serve will continue in 2026. The need for our work has never been greater, nor has our gratitude to the donors and partners who make it possible.
Thank you, once more, for your continued support.
*Editor’s note: Figures are estimates based on projects’ whole duration, and include duplication. For example, one family in Gaza may have received a Ramadan food parcel and a winter survival kit, and so will have been counted twice in estimates.
Islamic Relief will publish our official impact data, which is subject to rigorous scrutiny and audit, in our 2025 Annual Report. The annual report will be published summer 2026.
