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As a four-day humanitarian pause ends in Gaza with an extension of two days, aid agencies supporting humanitarian work there are in Canberra stepping up calls on Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

With the brief break in fighting, Oxfam Australia, Islamic Relief Australia, ActionAid Australia, Union Aid Abroad and Plan International Australia have all been working with colleagues in the Middle East, who are doing everything they can to get as much assistance as possible to the people of Gaza.

But Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said access had remained incredibly difficult to the war-torn Gaza Strip.

“A four-day pause allows us to deliver a drop of aid into an ocean of need – it is woefully inadequate given the scale of suffering and destruction in Gaza. And while welcome, just two extra days is not sufficient. For seven weeks, Gazans, including 33 Oxfam staff, have been living under constant bombardment and the amount of aid supplies reaching them has been significantly lower than requirements for survival,” she said.

“There are desperate shortages of water, food and fuel, and babies are dying from preventable causes. Despite doing everything we can to scale up our operations and increase support for our partners in recent days, humanitarian efforts and aid delivery have been severely obstructed with restricted access points. An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way to prevent further loss of civilian life and the total destruction of civic infrastructure, and only full and secure access will allow aid agencies to deliver an effective humanitarian response.”

While the organisations welcomed the Government’s previous $25 million contribution to the response effort, they said much more would be needed to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip.

Islamic Relief Australia Chief Executive Samir Bennegadi expressed deep concern for the ongoing situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank, emphasising the profound impact it is having on the Palestinian community in Australia.

“Many of our community members here are directly connected to the affected regions, with families and loved ones caught in the midst of this devastating conflict. The temporary ceasefire in Gaza, while a brief respite, hardly scratches the surface of the profound and ongoing distress experienced by those here and abroad. Our community in Australia feels this pain deeply, sharing a visceral and personal connection to the daily realities in these regions,” he said.

“Meanwhile, our ground efforts face constant obstacles due to the conflict. We urge Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Wong to do all they can to ensure a swift and lasting ceasefire and stress the need for unhindered humanitarian access via both Egypt and Israel. This is crucial for starting the healing and rebuilding process in these devastated regions.”

ActionAid Australia Executive Director Michelle Higelin said:

“It has been incredibly moving to see the outpouring of support in Australia for civilians affected by the escalation of violence in Gaza. Over the last seven weeks, we have seen thousands of Australians across the country taking to the streets to stand up against the constant bombardment of Gaza that has seen 1.7 million people displaced and countless civilian lives ripped apart. More than 70,000 Australians are joining our collective call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

“Our partners in Gaza are telling us that the humanitarian situation is nothing short of catastrophic. The chaos and horror unleashed in Gaza has affected women in devastating ways. Thousands of women in Gaza are risking their lives to give birth, undergoing caesareans without sterilization, anesthesia or painkillers. The denial of water is preventing breastfeeding mothers from being able to supply milk to their newborns. There must be a permanent ceasefire so that aid on the scale required can reach those in urgent need. The lives of civilians must be protected, and bombs must not be allowed to fall again.”

Union Aid Abroad Chief Executive Kate Lee said:

“This situation is unprecedented. No other humanitarian crisis has a people who cannot escape across a border as refugees. No other crisis has seen basic humanitarian needs blocked. This requires governments to re-write the rule book. A ceasefire must be negotiated.”

Strong public support for a permanent ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance is building, with more than 70,000 Australians signing petitions from the aid agencies calling for a permanent ceasefire, and over a million people signing a global #CeasefireNow petition.

Plan International Australia Deputy CEO Hayley Cull said a ceasefire petition shared by Plan International Australia had garnered close to 50,000 signatures in less than a month – an unprecedented show of support and a clear sign that Australians are horrified and outraged by what is unfolding in Gaza and want the Albanese Government to take genuine action in calling for a lasting ceasefire.

“In the 13 years that I have worked in the international humanitarian sector, I am at a loss to think of a more devastating situation. Children are paying the heaviest price from the ongoing violence in Gaza. Although a temporary truce and the release of some of the hostages is an important step towards peace, it is nowhere near enough. Further action must be taken to protect children through a lasting ceasefire. 

“The time is now for the Australian Government to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Any further delay to this will be a stain on our collective morality. Nothing can ever justify the killing or maiming of children. Every child’s life – Palestinian and Israeli – should be valued and treated with humanity,” she said.

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For interviews, contact:

Oxfam Australia – Lily Partland on 0418 118 687 / [email protected]
Union Aid Abroad – Lachlan Batchelor on 0404 469 462 / [email protected]
Plan International Australia – Claire Knox on 0452 326 549 / [email protected]
ActionAid Australia – Milly Atkinson Handley on 0414 860 238 / [email protected]

A chronic lack of fuel is crippling life in Gaza. Despite efforts to adapt, hospitals and some aid agencies, water desalination facilities and bakeries can no longer properly function. On Wednesday the United Nations issued a stark warning that it will be forced to stop its relief work in Gaza entirely if fuel is not allowed into the territory.

Here, we explain the causes and effects of the fuel crisis in Gaza.

What’s happening in Gaza?

Gaza is under bombardment amid a serious escalation in conflict in the region that has so far left over 9,000 people dead and tens of thousands more injured across the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

More than 1 million people have been ordered to evacuate northern areas and move to the south of the Gaza Strip, where the level of bombardment is less ferocious than in the north but conditions remain extremely difficult and dangerous.

Israel cut electricity, fuel and water supplies to Gaza from October 9 as part of a ‘total siege’ of the coastal enclave. In the last week, a small number of trucks carrying humanitarian aid were allowed in through the Egyptian border, but the amount onboard is nowhere near enough to meet the huge need in Gaza.

Do the aid convoys include fuel?

No. No fuel has entered Gaza as part of the aid convoys that have been allowed to enter since October 21, nor at any time since the attack on Israel on October 7 and the bombardment of Gaza that followed.

Despite a slight easing of siege conditions, Israel has so far not granted access to allow any fuel into Gaza.

The aid convoys have so far included only food, water and medical items.

Does Gaza rely on Israel for fuel?

Yes, Gaza does not produce its own fuel and so is totally reliant on imports, for which it needs Israel to grant permission.

What effect is the lack of fuel having on families?

Without fuel, Gaza’s only power plant is unable to run, leaving families without electricity in their homes.

People have been forced to adapt to frequent electricity supply issues for many years, so generators have become a commonplace back up when mains electricity is down.

Right now, however, there is no fuel to power these generators and families are completely without electricity, unless they have access to solar panels.

This means people cannot charge their phones, and so they are struggling to contact loved ones, to keep up to date with the news, or to make contact with the outside world. Communications difficulties have been further compounded by a severing of internet and mobile phone links on October 27 as part of an intensification of military operations.

No electricity also means refrigerated and frozen supplies families have at home are spoiling – a devastating situation amid severe food shortages.

The evacuation order led to many people moving in with relatives, creating crowded conditions. Without electricity, they are not able to use electric fans to make the situation a bit more comfortable, nor are they able to keep the lights on at night. With winter on the way, fears are mounting that families could be left facing extreme cold.

On top of all this, cars and other vehicles – including ambulances, aid agency vehicles, and water tankers – are running low on petrol with little hope of filling up in the near future. This is making it harder for aid agencies, health workers and others to do their life-saving work, and harder for people to find the things that they need – from bread to babies’ nappies – as they’re becoming limited to searching an area they can cover on foot.

Water supplies to homes and to schools sheltering displaced people have also been severely affected because the tankers that would normally deliver water in emergencies cannot get fuel. Even if the water did arrive, power is needed to pump it up into the tanks which supply many homes in Gaza.

Garbage trucks are facing a similar issue, leaving trash accumulating on the streets and posing an increasingly serious health risk.

What else is being affected?

The lack of fuel is being felt across the Gaza Strip, including in hospitals, shelters, and schools.

There are major concerns about Gaza’s healthcare system, already on the brink of collapse before this escalation.

The World Health Organization has said that one-third of hospitals and two-thirds of primary care facilities have stopped functioning, with fuel shortages a major factor. Ambulances are struggling to run at a time when they’re most needed, and some doctors are performing surgeries with only the light from a phone.

The lives of many patients, dependent on electrical machinery for their survival, are in serious danger. This includes premature babies relying on incubators to keep them alive, and around a thousand Gazans with kidney disease who require regular dialysis.

Without fuel, water cannot be treated and made safe to drink. Bakeries, where people had been queuing for hours for their chance to buy bread, are closing because they cannot run their ovens.

The UN warned on Wednesday that it would not be able to continue its life-saving work in Gaza if fuel continues to be banned from aid convoys.

The UN has not only been using fuel to support the many displaced people housed in its shelters but has also been sharing it with bakeries and hospitals to allow them to continue feeding people and treating patients. Humanitarian workers, such as Islamic Relief’s emergency teams, need fuel too, so they can source and distribute desperately-needed aid. With fuel so critically low, heartbreaking decisions are now being made about which hospitals and bakeries are given fuel and which are left without.

What was the situation like before the current escalation?

Fuel shortages were not uncommon in Gaza prior to the current escalation, but a crisis on this scale is unprecedented.

Ways of adapting that have allowed people to cope in the past – such as using generators – are no longer enough as the shortages continue.

Israel considers fuel to have a “dual use”, meaning it can be used for both civilian and military purposes, so its importation into Gaza is tightly controlled and heavily monitored.

Prior to the escalation, a system of approvals and monitoring, vetted by Israel and overseen by the UN, ensured that fuel entering Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, intended for Gaza’s sole power plant, arrived without incident.

How is fuel linked to human rights?

While access to fuel might not be considered a human right, it is a vital component of ensuring that people’s basic rights can be fulfilled – including the right to healthcare, access to safe and clean water and education, and the right to live in dignity.

Without fuel, hospitals, water treatment plants, schools and the vehicles that carry people and goods to all of these places cannot function.

Islamic Relief has been a lifeline to vulnerable people in Gaza for decades and has been continuing to support those in need during this escalation whenever it has been safe to do so.

With the humanitarian crisis spiralling still further out of control, Islamic Relief continues to call on the Israeli government and the international community to ensure fuel supplies can begin to enter the Gaza Strip once again.

Aid convoys carrying fuel must be allowed to enter without delay to prevent hospitals, generators, lights, and essential medical equipment from shutting down and to enable vital water desalination plants and water pumps to start operating again.

Islamic Relief issues call to action

In these critical times, we call upon all parties involved to commit to the principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) and prioritise rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access. Fuel, as a crucial resource, plays a pivotal role in sustaining life-saving operations, including the provision of food, clean water, medical services, and shelter. We must recognise the indispensable nature of fuel and its impact on the well-being of the 2.2 million Gazan civilians caught in this crisis.

Islamic Relief is urging the international community and all those with influence over parties to the conflict to commit to and press for:

1. An immediate ceasefire
2. Respect for the principles of international humanitarian law, ensuring the protection and well-being of all civilians and humanitarian workers.
3. Unimpeded humanitarian access, removing obstacles that deny humanitarian organisations secure access to affected communities.
4. An immediate end to restrictions that have cut off the flow of vital fuel to Gaza, acknowledging the critical importance of fuel for delivering humanitarian assistance and allowing vital infrastructure to function.

The level of suffering and deprivation in Gaza is of unprecedented severity. As well as responding to humanitarian needs as best we can amid the current restrictions, Islamic Relief will continue to advocate for a ceasefire, for the upholding of international humanitarian law and basic rights, and for an easing of restrictions that are impeding aid operations and costing lives.

Please stand with us in advocating for a ceasefire, in pressing for an end to restrictions on fuel, and in doing all we can to bring life-saving aid and hope to those who need it most.

Please help Islamic Relief to support and stand up for people in desperate need in Gaza. Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.

Leading Australian agencies responding to the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, including ActionAid, Act for Peace, Anglican Overseas Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to boldly speak out in favour of an immediate ceasefire and an end to the bombing of civilian and medical infrastructure to prevent further loss of civilian lives in Gaza.

The Australian Government, which has supported Israel’s right to defend itself, must use its influence to call for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the delivery of adequate humanitarian assistance to meet the growing demands in Gaza.

Michelle Higelin, Executive Director, ActionAid Australia: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic with a growing death toll. With no ceasefire and inadequate provisions of aid crossing the border, more innocent lives will be lost. Millions of civilians are facing no guarantee of safety each and every day. One horror cannot justify another, we call on the Australian government to employ all available means to stop the bombing of innocent civilians, ensure a ceasefire is in place alongside a sustained, protected humanitarian corridor.”

“Hospitals in Gaza are running out of fuel. Al-Shifa Hospital, run by ActionAid partner Al Awda Health and Community Association (Awda), will run out of fuel in the next 24 hours. We have heard from our colleagues on the ground that children, patients, babies in incubators, pregnant women will lose their lives if fuel is not provided to hospitals in Gaza.”

Jo Knight, Chief Executive Officer, Anglican Overseas Aid: “The Ahli Hospital in Gaza has been a long-standing partner of the Australian community through Anglican Overseas Aid. Despite the recent rocket blast that killed and wounded hundreds of people, the devoted staff of the hospital partially reopened it two nights later and are providing critical care to those in need with dwindling supplies of medication, equipment, and fuel. We call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the loss of civilian lives, and protection of medical infrastructure.”

Anthea Spinks, Director of Programs at Oxfam Australia: “Gaza faces a dire crisis—no power, scarce food, lack of clean drinking water and insufficient medical supplies. Oxfam staff are witnessing intolerable suffering for civilians who are cut off from vital services and aid amidst escalating violence. Civilians must not be targeted by any side – we need an immediate ceasefire so life-saving humanitarian aid can safely reach people most in need.”

Samir Bennegadi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Relief: “We call for an immediate ceasefire and for international law to be upheld. All parties have a duty to protect civilians from harm, avoid targeting civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and humanitarian facilities, and ensure that civilians have access to basic necessities such as water, food and power. At the moment that duty is clearly not being met.”

Kate Lee, Executive Officer, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA: “Hundreds of thousands of lives can be saved if the governments of the world push for a ceasefire and move to protect all civilians. This is the message that the Prime Minister Albanese needs to take to President Biden and all allies urgently.”

“The starvation of 2.3 million children, women and men is happening now. The bombs have damaged 43% of homes in the Gaza Strip, and hundreds of thousands of people are displaced. The current situation is an affront to humanity. Our government must act to ensure a ceasefire”.

Agencies supporting this statement are urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire and a sustainable, protected humanitarian corridor to allow desperately needed aid, including fuel, into Gaza.  All organisations are responding to the unfolding humanitarian crisis either directly or through local partners in Gaza.

In Gaza, the already dire humanitarian situation worsens, as already struggling civilians once more face the horror of major airstrikes.

The nightmare began on early Saturday morning, 7th October 2023, when major airstrikes commenced, sending shockwaves across Gaza.

Since the wake of the bombing, the number of dead and critically injured has been rising across the region, marking an unprecedented escalation of violence and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians in Need of Support

Islamic Relief staff in Gaza have described the situation as being unlike anything they’ve ever seen.

The latest death toll, as of October 10th 2023, stands at 500 Palestinians and over 8,000 injured. But the number is expected to be more, as airstrikes have targeted residential blocks without any prior notice of strikes.

Hostilities have also led to internal displacement.  More than 17,500 families, comprising over 123,538 people, have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns and the destruction of their homes.

Out of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), a report from the United Nations estimates that 73,538 people are sheltering in 64 schools, some of which are designated emergency shelters.

Gaza Targeted by Occupying State

Israeli airstrikes and shelling have targeted houses and apartment buildings in Gaza.

In some cases, residential buildings were reportedly struck without warning for residents to evacuate. Notably, four large residential towers with multiple floors of residential units (Palestine, Al-Hashim, Wattan, and Al Aklouk) in Gaza City were completely destroyed. 

According to the Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 159 housing units have been destroyed, while 1,210 have suffered severe damage.

Civilians Also Deprived of Health Support

6 healthcare workers were killed and four injured by Israeli airstrikes that also damaged seven healthcare facilities and nine ambulances. 

Israeli airstrikes have also caused damage to WASH-related facilities, undermining the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to over 400,000 people.

In Gaza, more than 90% of available water was unsafe to drink before this most recent escalation and food supplies were not enough for most families. Without support from WASH-related services, much of the population will struggle to access the clean water needed to survive.

Gaza also suffers from a chronic lack of electricity supply, which has a knock-on effect on health, water and sanitation services’ ability to operate. Gaza’s current electricity generation is less than 60 MW. This falls significantly short of the necessary power to sustain WASH services across the entire Gaza Strip.

A desperate situation made worse

On Monday, October 9th 2023, Israel announced a ‘total’ blockade of Gaza, including a ban on food and fuel, and the water supply to Gaza was cut. The impacts of this are likely to make the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza even worse.

Decades of occupation, blockade, and recurring conflict have created a humanitarian nightmare in Gaza. Most people do not have enough food, 90% of available water is unfit for public consumption and trauma is taking its toll on ordinary families.

Gaza’s healthcare system is also particularly fragile, with overstretched and poorly-equipped health facilities struggling to meet rising needs.

Much of the population relies on humanitarian aid from charities like Islamic Relief just to survive and this number may well rise as internal displacement spikes due to the ongoing hostilities.

Islamic Relief Provides Ongoing Support for Gaza

Islamic Relief remains steadfast in our determination to assist Palestinian families. Working closely with our local partners, we are preparing our humanitarian response, which is likely to initially focus on distributing medical supplies and urgently needed essentials.

With your support, Islamic Relief will remain a lifeline for Palestinian families. Help support our brothers and sisters in Gaza during their time of need.

Following two key climate events held in Kenya, Charles Njanga, Islamic Relief’s regional media creator for Africa, explains how the negative effects of climate change are impacting the lives of the communities we support in the Horn of Africa.

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The world gathered in Nairobi, Kenya for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit from 4 – 6 September 2023 and Africa Climate Week from 4 – 8 September.

I was privileged to represent Islamic Relief at the Africa Climate Week, which was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

KICC was a beehive of activities with delegates from all over the world. Security was tight but there was a carnival mood at the venue. Walking around, I heard buzzwords such as ‘carbon credit,’ ‘carbon taxes’ and ‘carbon markets’, among many others.

Climate change seems to manifest itself every day in our lives, and we are seeing changes in weather patterns.

In Africa, in particular, weather- and climate-related hazards are becoming more severe. For example, in Kenya, the short and long rain patterns have been greatly disrupted. The short rains were usually in April and May but nowadays we are seeing the rains starting as early as March and still lasting into May.

Devastating effects of climate change

Climate change is having a devastating effect on the people Islamic Relief serves in Africa.

While Africa is responsible for only a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is suffering disproportionately from climate change.

In the Horn of Africa, especially, where 5 rain seasons have failed, people are suffering from an extended drought. We are seeing cyclic and prolonged droughts, often followed by deadly floods.

Climate-induced disasters like these are causing food insecurity and spiralling ecosystems and economies across the worst-affected regions, of Africa, fueling displacement and migration and worsening the threat of conflict over dwindling resources.

To combat this, Islamic Relief is increasingly embracing climate-smart technologies such as solar power in our projects. Solar power is used to pump water from boreholes in the African countries Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The water we provide is used for domestic use and also for livestock.

Climate change is still a phenomenon that is not very well understood, especially in rural areas. I recall a conversation I had some years back with an old man in the Ainabo camp for internally displaced persons in the Sool Region of Somaliland, Somalia. According to him, the weather patterns had changed, and he attributed it partly to the presence of telecommunications masts on a nearby hill.

However, there is no misunderstanding of the devastating effects climate change is having on communities. Pastoralists have seen their livestock – their main source of livelihood – destroyed by droughts. Farmers too have not been spared the wrath of the droughts. Crops have been scorched by the hot weather before they can mature, leaving farmers and their families without a reliable supply of food in many parts of the continent.

Climate change is also leading to soaring temperatures, especially in Africa, where the rate of temperature increase has accelerated in recent decades. Have you ever been in a place where the sun is so hot that when you breathe in, the air tastes hot and dry? I felt that when I visited the Afder Zone of Ethiopia in March this year. The temperatures were hovering around 40 degrees Celsius.

What Islamic Relief is doing

Islamic Relief is providing farmers with drought-resistant seeds that mature earlier. This is making a difference in farmers’ livelihoods as they are now seeing an increase in food production.

Many heads of state and governments from Africa and other parts of the world attended the Africa Climate Summit 2023. The African leaders championed a path of ‘green growth’, but this will take some time to be felt by the people.

I had a chance to interact with different people who visited the Islamic Relief booth during Africa Climate Week. Many were amazed at the work we do, especially in food security and livelihoods. I also had a chance to visit other organisations and see some amazing technology on display. One thing that stood out for me was a water desalination plant that could make a big difference in our Water and Sanitation (WASH) projects.

In the meantime, as Islamic Relief we must ensure that we have projects that help the people we serve to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Derna, a port city in eastern Libya, has faced the worst of the recent floods, leaving its residents in a state of despair. A quarter of the city was wiped out, thousands of people were killed and at least 10,000 have gone missing since the wake of the disaster. 

Amidst the chaos, Islamic Relief emerged as one of the first relief organisations to reach the devastated city, providing crucial support and aid to those affected by the floods.

Risking Lives for the Sake of Humanity

With dedication and unwavering commitment, our team members embarked on a challenging journey to Derna to deliver aid to those in need. 

Risking their own lives to reach the flood-affected areas, the journey took two arduous days, traversing rugged terrain. Despite treacherous roads and countless hurdles, our dedicated team pressed forward, determined to provide hope to those most in need. 

Aiding the Affected: What Islamic Relief Provided

Seeing the faces of dishearted families light up upon the arrival of emergency support served as a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission.

The situation in Derna was heart-wrenching, but being able to provide them with support made a significant impact. 

Working with local relief organisations to ensure that aid was delivered effectively and efficiently, altogether, we provided hot meals, blankets, food packs and mattresses to approximately 900 families. 

A Call for Continued Support

While help is ongoing, the need in Derna remains substantial. The devastation left by the floods in Libya is profound, and communities, in this city and other hard-hit regions, are in mourning. 

Help provide the people of Libya with relief from the harsh aftermath of the floods. Give today and save lives. 

Hana el Abdallaoui from Islamic Relief shares a recap of the team’s day as they continue to make a difference in Morocco. Today’s story exposes us to some of the harsh realities on the ground:

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We spent the night in Chichaoua. Though two aftershocks happened, none of us felt them.

Early in the morning, we woke up and split our team into two groups:

Direct Relief and Assessment

One group had a meeting with the Red Crescent in Chichaoua, then made their way to Amizmiz, an area strongly affected by the earthquake and very close to the epicentre. This group found the area full of rubble. Buildings were completely destroyed and the bodies of people were still under the rubble. The rescue team was at work, removing rubble and trying to retrieve bodies that had been there for two days, resulting in a strong smell.

One colleague spoke to Ikram, a 17-year-old, who recounted how her father urged them outside as the walls shook. Despite her shock, Ikram and her family showed remarkable hospitality, inviting our team for lunch. Their generosity, even after losing so much, was striking. Even in a small village where we distributed aid later, locals welcomed us, offering cups of tea. Their resilience and kindness, even amidst such hardship, serves as a lesson to us all.

Programmes and Partnerships

Our subgroup traveled from Chichaoua to Marrakech, aiming to collaborate with our partners there. The primary goal was to discern the immediate needs and strategise our response. Among the foremost challenges was procuring shelters or tents since they’re scarce in the region. While sourcing blankets and mattresses posed initial challenges, we’re thankful that, with the help of local partners, we managed a timely delivery.

After leaving the warehouse, we headed to Amizmiz to join the rest of the team and begin distributions. Our journey took us to a remote village in the mountains. The challenging road delayed us further when a vehicle got stuck, but our team was quick to help.

Arriving in the village, named Douar Tedcharte, we found people outside in the cold. Some women shared their challenges post-earthquake, with one mentioning waking up to damp clothes due to frost. Though their homes weren’t demolished, enlarging cracks made them unsafe. We provided blankets and mattresses, which were gratefully received.

Reflecting upon the day, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of fulfilment. While we might not have a permanent base here, the dedication of our team, in the face of adversity, has been unparalleled. I am deeply proud to be a part of the Islamic Relief family.

Hana el Abdallaoui, from our programmes team at Islamic Relief, shares a poignant firsthand account of the devastation she witnessed in Morocco. Her narrative sheds light on the immediacy and depth of the crisis:

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I’m Hana el Abdallaoui from the programmes team at Islamic Relief.

I landed in Marrakech with some colleagues just yesterday evening. Our introduction to Morocco was an immediate and unsettling one. As we were leaving the airport, we were urgently asked to get out of the car due to an aftershock. Panic was everywhere; people fled from the airport, seeking safety in the midst of the chaos.

We headed to the city centre to assess the situation. There, we encountered individuals sleeping on the streets beneath blankets. Many of them chose the open air over their homes, fearing the instability of structures that had already suffered damage.

Early the next morning, we travelled to Chichaoua, a province roughly 80km from Marrakech. Our first meeting was with members of the Moroccan Red Crescent. Together, we journeyed to some of the most affected villages in the Adassil region within Chichaoua province.

One such village, Tikekht, had remained isolated until our arrival. The devastation was overwhelming: out of 80 residents, a mere six had survived. Each and every house was reduced to rubble. Interactions with the villagers painted tales of profound loss. One individual had lost as many as 18 relatives. Another woman, tears in her eyes, revealed she had no one left – her entire family was gone.

We also visited Tagadirt, home to 70 families. Tragically, 18 of its inhabitants lost their lives, including a pregnant woman just two days shy of her due date. Another heartrending encounter was with a man who discovered his in-laws under the wreckage.

From these firsthand observations, the pressing needs became evident: food, tents for shelter, and essential hygiene products, with a special emphasis on meeting the unique needs of women. The emotional toll was palpable; many residents sought us out, eager to share their heart-wrenching stories, needing to voice their pain.

We had a discussion with the governor of the Adassil area, who underscored the sheer scale of the damage: over 5,000 buildings in the area lay in ruins.

In light of these findings, we’re now developing a response plan based on the needs assessment, collaborating closely with local partners.

As Afghanistan approaches 2 years since the Taliban returned to power, we share the stories of some of the resilient communities Islamic Relief is supporting through extreme hardship.

Khadija, a 35-year-old single mother, lives with her 5 children in a remote neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kabul. Her husband abandoned the family after becoming addicted to drugs – an unfortunately common occurrence in Afghanistan. Unable to afford the rent on their home, Khadija and her children now live in a single room that her elder brother vacated for the family’s sake.

“I’m left with the responsibility of taking care of all these children – 3 are daughters,” Khadija says. “The house is small for 6 of us. We don’t have proper bedding. It’s just rags and mats. During the winter, it gets so cold that I’m afraid we may die. We can’t afford either cooling or heating systems”.

Obstacles to earning a living

Khadija treks 3 kilometres every morning into Kabul, seeking housekeeping jobs with well-off families. She cannot afford public transport and struggles to make ends meet with the money she earns from this work. On some days she makes no money at all.

Restrictions imposed by authorities as well as social norms severely limit women’s employment opportunities, making life extremely difficult for families like Khadija’s without adult men to share the burden.

“I found myself alone to provide for my children. We only have 2 kilograms of potatoes in stock [at home]. We eat the same food every time. No new meals.” Khadija eventually had to make the difficult decision to pull her eldest daughter, 15, and son, 12, out of school so they could also seek work to help support the family.

The children are now employed in a carpet weaving shop, making a joint monthly income of 2000 AFN, equivalent to $37 AUD.

Qurbani is one of the few ways they can eat meat

Khadija’s family is 1 of more than 21,600 that received a meat parcel from Islamic Relief to help them celebrate Eid al-Adha and boost their nutrition.

“Eid has been a special day for children since I was a child,” Khadija remembers. “We used to dress up in new clothes, visit friends, and family and go out to see nature. Most children here whose fathers are around are all dressed in new clothes during Eid.

“My children will ask me where our father is, and I will make up stories that he’s coming. He will not come,” she says, fighting back tears.

“Before my husband fell into the drug menace, we could afford meat once a week or even a month. [Now] meat is not cooked in our home for months on end,” Khadija says, adding that this Qurbani meat is only the second time her family have been able to eat meat in 5 months.

“No one expected would have meat in our meal today.

“When we had dinner, my children and I prayed for those who paid for our meat and delivered it to us. May Allah SWT reward them abundantly. We are so happy. It’s a different day.”

Rising cost of basic items exacerbating hunger amid crises

Khadija’s story shows the daily struggles single mothers and female-headed households face while trying to support their families in a country that is both emerging from conflict and prone to natural disasters.
But it is likely that she’s revealed only part of her story, as societal norms and shame prevent women from discussing many of the challenges they face in life.

The prices of basic household items such as flour, oil, rice and gas for cooking have almost doubled over the last 2 years, putting them out of the reach of many. In response, many people have been forced to sell their properties, cut back on meals, or send their children to work to put food on the table.

Two years on from the Taliban’s return to power, the people of Afghanistan continue to face great struggles in their daily lives, including finding employment and providing food for themselves and their families.

Afghanistan saw its third straight year of drought last year, which was the worst drought in the country in 30 years. According to UNOCHA, 25 out of 34 provinces experience either severe or catastrophic drought conditions, affecting more than 50% of the population.

This is compounded by worsening economic hardship and the effects of 4 decades of war, which have left half the population in acute hunger.

Amid the growing crises, we are continuing to provide essential services to the people of Afghanistan in 15 provinces across the country, most of them prone to recurrent disasters.

Please help Islamic Relief to continue supporting vulnerable people in Afghanistan.

We are supporting our communities across the world, including communities impacted by poverty and hardship in Bosnia. The story of Begović Fata, a resilient mother and wife, exemplifies how sustainable development is not merely a concept but a lifeline for those striving to break free from the relentless cycle of poverty. Her journey, backed by the support of Islamic Relief, highlights the tangible change that focused aid can bring to individuals and communities. Her story illustrates how investment in agriculture and sustainable practices can build futures, transform lives, and bring about real, lasting change.

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A mother of three from Gorazde and the wife of a war invalid, Fata’s life was marred by challenges following the war’s end. Relocating to Sarajevo, the family’s existence depended on her husband’s limited invalid income.

Recognising a future in agriculture, Fata courageously embarked on this path, viewing it not just as a means of survival but as a sustainable solution for growth. It was a love for the land and a belief in its potential that drove her. Starting with dairy products, Fata and her family invested time, effort, and passion into building their agricultural business from the ground up.

The turning point came when Fata received a loan of 1687 EUR, sponsored by the International Waqf fund (established by Islamic Relief) and free of any fees. This investment allowed her to expand her business into vegetable farming in greenhouses and increase dairy production.

What began as a necessity soon transformed into a thriving, environmentally-friendly business. Their organic products gained recognition from neighbors, local markets, and even one of Sarajevo’s largest hotels, Hotel Hills.

Fata’s journey is a testament to how sustainable development can empower individuals, providing them with the means to break free from the shackles of poverty and build a prosperous future. Her success in agriculture is not just a personal triumph; it symbolises a broader vision of sustainable growth that benefits both family and community. Through dedication, innovation, and the support of the International Waqf fund, Fata has turned her challenges into opportunities, reflecting the core values of Islamic Relief’s sustainable development program.