Author: Nadya Labiba

Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and is one of the four sacred months.

It precedes the month of Sha’ban and Holy month of Ramadan. It also contains many benefits and virtues, as some of the most precious days of the Islamic calendar occur within this month.

When is Rajab 2025? 

This sacred month is expected to begin on January 1, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon.

There is also Isra’ and Mi’raj on 27th Rajab. This is expected to occur on the January 27, 2025. 

Why is Rajab Important in Islam? 

Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the year. In Surah At-Tawbah, it states:

Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve in the book of Allah, since the day He created the Heavens and the Earth. Four of them, they are sacred. 

Qur’an 9:36 

Likewise, the names of these four sacred months are listed in this hadith.

Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession: Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Al-Muharram and Rajab of Mudar, which stands between Jumada (ath-Thani) and Sha‘ban. 

Sahih al-Bukhari 

These months are sacred as there are many virtues attached to them. Fighting is prohibited during these four months. In turn, all transgressions during these months weigh heavier as wrong deeds, while all sincere acts of worship become elevated in their good deeds.

Significant Events Taking Place in Rajab 

The birth of Ali (RA) 

On the 13th Rajab, Ali (RA), the cousin and companion of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was born.

Al Isra’ wal Miraj 

The Prophet’s (SAW) night journey Al Isra’ wal Miraj is thought to have taken place on the 27th Rajab. 

Battle of Tabuk 

In 9AH, the Battle of Tabuk took place during Rajab. During this battle, the Prophet (ﷺ) took 30,000 men to face the Roman army. As a result, the Romans retreated. Then, afterwards, a peace agreement was made. 

Salahuddin al-Ayyubi liberated Jerusalem 

In Rajab of 583 AH (1187 CE), Salahuddin al-Ayyubi liberated Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader occupation. 

Fasting in Rajab 

The sacred months are an excellent time to do sunnah (supererogatory) acts of worship, fasting included. Voluntary (nafl) prayers, du’a and Sadaqah Jariyah, are also other virtuous acts that weigh more on the scale as good deeds due to the sacredness of this month.

Whcih days should I fast in Rajab? 

There are many days on which it is Sunnah to fast. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It is also recommended to fast on the white days (13th, 14th and 15th of the Islamic lunar month).

Make the most of this sacred month

Rajab is one of the four sacred months of the year. It is also the month when Al Isra’ wal-Mi’raj took place. This makes it a month of many opportunities for blessings.  

This month is a time, when we, as Muslims, should increase worship and devotion to Allah (SWT). By working on improving our character and becoming more motivated to earn good deeds, we can earn immense rewards and better prepare for Ramadan (which is coming soon at the end of February!) in these coming months.

As Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (RA), the uncle of Imam Tirmidhi (RA), said, ‘The month of Rajab is the month of planting (your seeds), Sha‘ban is the month of irrigating/watering (them), and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop’.  

Rajab is the time to prepare for Ramadan – spiritually, mentally and physically. Remember to make the most of this sacred time by performing as many good deeds as you can and seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT). May He accept and reward your efforts, ameen!

20 years ago, Professor Ede Surya Darmawan was one of the first Islamic Relief staff to respond to disaster. To the enormous earthquake and tsunami that devastated communities around the Indian Ocean.  
Here, Ede, now Chair of Islamic Relief Indonesia’s Board of Trustees and Professor in Public Health Development at Jakarta’s Universitas Indonesia, looks back on that time, following a recent trip to Banda Aceh, the worst-hit area. 

Visiting Banda Aceh 20 Years Later After the Tsunami and Earthquake

It was pitch black when I first set foot in Banda Aceh. This was on 2 January 2005, exactly one week after tsunami hit. The difficulty of the journey – a normally 3-hour trip from Jakarta, which ended up taking almost 24 – hinted at the chaos that had engulfed the city and the wider Aceh province. After it was struck by one of the worst natural disasters in history.

I’d seen the news footage of the aftermath of the massive earthquake and tsunami. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what I saw myself in the following days, weeks, and months. 

When the sun rose the next day, I saw dead bodies everywhere. Islamic Relief’s office had been hastily set up in a partially-built house we’d managed to rent a few days earlier. It was just 200 metres from the area where victims’ bodies were being laid out for identification.

We went about our business, trying to support survivors however we could. All while surrounded by the harshest possible reminder of the loss this disaster had left behind.  

I’d responded to disasters before. They are an inevitable part of life in Indonesia. We have earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and, as we now know, tsunamis. As a young boy I grew up in the shadow of Galunggung Volcano, which had deadly eruptions in the 1800s and 1980s.  

But I’d never seen anything like what happened in Aceh in 2004. No one had. The affected area looked as though it had been hit by a nuclear weapon.  

News of the Disaster Trickles Out of Aceh 

In 2004, Islamic Relief’s work in Indonesia was very small in scale compared to today. We had Ramadan and Qurban food distributions. As well as projects providing bags and books to schoolchildren.

But we didn’t work in Aceh at all. In fact, at that time, Aceh was a conflict zone. Where people from other parts of the country, as well as foreigners, were not allowed to enter. 

Partly because of this, it took a while for information about the disaster to reach us in Jakarta. The earthquake happened at around 8am on December 26, but it was the afternoon before we heard about it. Around 2am the next morning, I got a call from Islamic Relief headquarters, which had more complete information. They said the disaster had been very large and that we’d need to quickly prepare to respond. 

It was very challenging to get information from the ground in those first few days. Although we had no official links with Aceh, we had some local contacts there. But almost all of them had been affected by the disaster.

To find out what was going on, and how we could help, we sent our Programme Officer to Aceh immediately. 

Starting from Scratch 

Islamic Relief’s very early response involved providing food, water and first aid treatment – whatever we could – to try and address the massive needs of the affected people.  

When I arrived, a week after the disaster, my first job was to set up a bank account. This ensured that the huge number of donations Islamic Relief was receiving could reach Aceh.

Then I began connecting with government and local authorities, other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and United Nations bodies to see how we could work together to help those in need. There was so much collaboration between international, national and local groups, it seemed like every hour there was another meeting. 

With banking resolved, there were still so many obstacles. The city had very nearly been wiped off the map. The electricity and water supplies had been damaged, so many roads and bridges were impassable. We had to buy supplies from the surrounding districts, particularly Medan, the capital of the neighbouring province. But it had been hit by a flood and supplies that should’ve taken 1-2 days to arrive ended up taking a week. 

Recruiting people was another massive challenge. Almost everyone in Aceh was affected, so we had to recruit people from all over Indonesia, ensuring they had the skills we needed and were ready to travel to the disaster zone. The last question of every interview was: “If you accept this job today, tomorrow morning you will have to leave for Aceh. Are you ready or not?” If they said yes, we sent them and checked in 2 weeks later. If they were coping, they could stay. If not, they had to go home. 

Uniting to Recover from the Tsunami and Earthquake

What people needed most in the early days was housing. Finding enough tents for temporary shelters was a big challenge. But, because there was a large military presence in Aceh from the conflict, we had support from the military and access to their supply of tents.  

After those first overwhelming days and weeks, our response moved into addressing other needs in the affected communities.

We began running cash-for-work program, providing payment and meals to affected people who would in turn clear destroyed homes and roads. This was not only to give those who’d lost their livelihoods a way of earning some income, but also a means of beginning to address some of the psychological impacts of the disaster. By keeping people occupied, we hoped to distract them from feelings of hopelessness.  

Slowly, things began to improve, and Aceh today is a completely different place. Before the tsunami, the region was completely alienated because of the conflict and after the disaster, it was completely devastated.  

But so many people from all over the world – including from Islamic Relief – came to Aceh and we realised that we’re all the same and we must rebuild and overcome the impact of the tsunami together. Less than a year later, a peace treaty was signed and Indonesians tried to move forward together as one nation. This was the positive impact of the tsunami. 

Returning to Aceh after the Tsunami and Earthquake

In August this year, I went back to Aceh and took Islamic Relief colleagues to the house that had once been our office.

As we drove around the city, I pointed out where bodies had been. The mass graves that became their final resting place. The spot where the carcass of a dead cow had lain untouched for a month because everyone was so busy tending to survivors.  

It’s odd, the things that have stuck with me after all this time.  

It wasn’t my first time coming back to Aceh since the disaster. I’ve been before to see the programs Islamic Relief still runs in this province. But this time was particularly moving because the focus was on how Islamic Relief responded to the disaster and the legacy of our impact.

I had the chance to hear stories from survivors. The orphaned children who’d grown up to become teachers. The business owners and sources of inspiration in their communities as well as the government. The health officials who also told us their own personal stories while speaking about their areas of expertise.

I even got to hear the impressions of one colleague who was among the first people I recruited and sent to Aceh back in January 2005. He’s never left and is still there today delivering Islamic Relief’s programs. 

A New Horizon 

Many organisations grew up because of the tsunami and Islamic Relief is no different. It changed so much about our understanding of relief work and the possibilities that can come from organisations collaborating and helping one other.

At the time, it felt like a new horizon had opened up before us. We’d seen how humanity could work together to overcome many problems, including the disaster. 

Now, Indonesia has laws and national bodies governing disaster responses, whether it’s a natural disaster or something like the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve learned how essential preparation and collaboration at the national, provincial, and district levels are. Disasters can happen at any time, and we need to be prepared for them.  

Doing what you can, whether it’s making a donation, or sharing your skills and knowledge to help others, brings us closer together as humans. Not only humanitarians, but everyone, can benefit from working together for the greater good.  

20 years on from the earthquake and tsunami, Islamic Relief is sharing the stories of survivors, staff and our steadfast support of affected communities in the decades that followed the disaster. Please support Islamic Relief to continue supporting communities through disasters.

This month marks 20 years since an enormous earthquake and tsunami devastated communities around the Indian Ocean. Here, Haroon Kash, now Head of Program Funding and Partnership Development at Islamic Relief, reflects on arriving in Aceh. When he did so 1 week after the disaster to join the response. 

20 years ago, I learned what a tsunami was. And that experience ensured I would never forget the impact a tsunami. How it could have on the lives of so many people, including my own. 

The Tsunami Caused Miles and Miles of destruction 

Upon arriving at the impacted areas, I had my first realisation. The massive amount of destruction the tsunami had caused. It’s hard to describe the miles and miles of devastation. The debris, mud, sludge, and remnants of buildings that stretched around us. 

We were a few miles inland from the coast, which showed just how far the tsunami had travelled. But everywhere we looked there was nothing but destruction, and of course, that smell. 

We started our humanitarian response immediately, providing food and other essentials. We’d managed to secure products from local markets that were somehow still functioning. Even though many businesses were closed, either due to destruction or the fact that the owners were missing and/or presumed dead. 

Travelling throughout the area, that smell never disappeared, nor could I ever get used to it. 

Missing Posters Plaster the City 

Every day I would see a group of local volunteers heading out to search for bodies among heaps of rubble. They dug them out and ensured that they were given a proper, and where possible dignified, burial. 

Every day I would see people going up and down the streets on their mopeds. They asked around for news of their missing loved ones, while others constantly rummaged through the debris of what were once their homes, trying to salvage anything they could. 

Posters of missing family members were plastered throughout the area. On lampposts, on fences, on the windows of buildings — literally thousands and thousands of them everywhere you went. 

Seeing one missing poster is upsetting. But imagine seeing thousands of them every day for weeks, with desperate family members huddling around in the hope that someone, somewhere has some news of their loved ones. Hoping that they might recognise each other and that their reunion might offer hope to others. 

Living in Fear after the Tsunami and Earthquake

Aftershocks were common after the quake and with each one, you would see mass hysteria break out. Some people ran to open spaces, while many others would speed off on mopeds searching for higher ground. Having only experienced minor earthquakes before myself, the intensity of the aftershocks there were enough to provoke unimaginable fear within me over what the big earthquake must have felt like. Compounding that fear was the fact that any of the aftershocks could trigger another tsunami. 

Much of my experience during the 5 weeks I was in Aceh was shaped by being surrounded by so much despair. But I was immensely grateful for what I learned from being exposed to that disaster. The experience helped me to value everything I had. It also gave me a sense of the force that a natural disaster can possess. It presented me with assurances that my work was having a major impact on the lives of many of the communities that had suffered so much as a result of the disaster. 

I met families that had lost virtually everything — loved ones, possessions, homes, and livelihoods. Yet still they had hope for the future. A future in which Islamic Relief continued to play an important part for the next 2 decades. 

I left Banda Aceh in 2005 with hope and fear. Hope of seeing improvements in the lives of so many rightsholders and a lasting fear of the power of nature. 

20 years on from the earthquake and tsunami, Islamic Relief is sharing the stories of survivors, staff and our steadfast support of affected communities in the decades that followed the disaster. Help Islamic Relief to continue supporting communities through disasters.

Ahead of the 20^th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake, humanitarians met in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, in August to discuss the state of country’s humanitarian sector. 

For Candra Kirana, Islamic Relief Indonesia’s Deputy CEO and Head of Operations, reflecting on the 2004 disaster has both professional and personal significance. 

In August 2024, I joined fellow humanitarians, academics, and representatives from government and international organisations in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. It was for a conference marking both World Humanitarian Day and the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the city and wider region 20 years ago. 

Attending events like this is a deeply emotional experience for me, because I am a survivor of the tsunami myself.  

After the disaster, I felt called to work in the humanitarian sector. And I have been dedicated to doing so ever since. I chose to attend this event at the conference in particular because its focus on equal partnerships and empowering local civil society organisations resonated deeply with me. 

Engaging in discussions about a disaster I experienced brought back vivid memories of loss and resilience, but it also allowed me to reflect on how far Indonesia’s humanitarian sector has come since 2004.  

Localisation in the ‘disaster laboratory’ 

Indonesia has been described as a ‘disaster laboratory’. The sheer number and variety of disasters we are vulnerable to presents huge risks. But it also provides the opportunity to develop and test disaster prevention, management and response techniques.  

Localisation in humanitarian aid means funding and giving decision-making power to organisations based in the countries affected by emergencies. It is vital because it empowers local actors who possess unique insights and understanding of their communities.  

Local organisations often have established trust with disaster-affected populations, allowing them to communicate and respond to specific needs more effectively. They are deeply familiar with local cultures, customs and languages, and this familiarity enhances their ability to provide relevant and timely assistance when a disaster happens. 

Local actors are typically more agile and adaptable than international organisations. They can mobilise quickly in emergencies, leveraging existing networks and resources to deliver aid more efficiently. While their proximity to affected communities allows them to identify emerging needs and gaps in services quickly, ensuring that responses are tailored to the local context. 

Local knowledge saves lives 

There is one very notable example from the 2004 disaster that shows just how powerful harnessing local expertise can be. ‘Nandong Smong’ is a traditional practice in Simeulue, an island 150km off the coast of Sumatra, where Aceh is located. 

In 1907 Simeuele was devastated by a major tsunami. Survivors told the story to their descendants in a practice that has continued to the present day, instructing listeners to evacuate to higher ground if they see the tide recede following an earthquake.  

Nandong Smong has led to community awareness of tsunami risks, enabling locals to recognise the signs of an impending tsunami based on these historical experiences and environmental cues. In 2004, many residents heeded this local wisdom, leading to successful evacuations and ultimately saving lives. Only 7 of the island’s more than 70,000 people lost their lives, compared to well over 100,000 elsewhere in Aceh. 

By prioritising local capacities and solutions like Nandong Smong, humanitarian efforts can become more sustainable and effective in the face of future challenges. 

Dedicated to making a difference 

The conference in August led to an agreement to establish several important localisation tools, including the National Reference Group (NRG), the Indonesian Localisation Lab, the Indonesian Humanitarian Pooled Resources, and the Anthology of Local Civil Society Organisation Movements in Indonesia.  

These initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing local ownership of humanitarian action. It improves coordination and strengthens the effectiveness of humanitarian and development efforts across the country. 

Spending time with other humanitarian workers who share a commitment to improving disaster response felt empowering. It’s inspiring to see how our collective experiences can shape more effective strategies in disaster management and response.  

But, at the same time, it can feel overwhelming to confront the realities that many in our country still endure. Especially as climate change leads to increasingly frequent and intense disasters. 

The conference reinforced my dedication to making a difference. Sharing my own story and hearing from others helps create a sense of solidarity. As well as purpose in our work as we prepare to address the future challenges that lie ahead. 

More than just a commemorative event 

The event concluded with the adoption of the Banda Aceh Declaration. This emphasises a commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s humanitarian system. By adopting an inclusive and sustainable localisation approach.  

This declaration recognises the vital role of local civil society organisations. Where it promotes a humanitarian response that is more relevant, effective, and aligned with humanitarian principles.  

Overall, the Indonesia 2024 Localisation Conference was more than just a commemorative event. It marked an important moment to redefine and enhance future humanitarian responses.  

As someone who works for Islamic Relief and a survivor of the tsunami, I felt this conference was a crucial step toward a more just and effective approach to humanitarian aid. I look forward to being part of this journey and the progress we can make over the next 20 years. 

20 years on from the earthquake and tsunami, Islamic Relief is sharing the stories of survivors – including Candra – staff and our steadfast support of affected communities in the decades that followed the disaster. 

This month marks 20 years since an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Indonesia. One that claimed the lives of around 230,000 people. And it forever changed the lives of many more. 

Early in the morning of 26 December, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded sent huge tsunami waves barrelling into coastal communities around the Indian Ocean. And it went as far away as the East African coast. 

Homes were swept away in an instant. Livelihoods erased. Families separated. Many never reunited. 

Few humanitarian organisations had experience responding to tsunamis at that time. While many of those directly affected had no idea such a disaster was even possible. That is, until they saw the tsunami with their own eyes. 

Islamic Relief was in Indonesia’s Aceh province – the worst-hit area – the day after the disaster struck. We responded to the massive needs of displaced people by distributing food, water and other essentials. As time passed, we built new homes, schools, and healthcare centres to support the communities on their journey to recovery. 

At the same time, we launched operations in Sri Lanka, responding to the mass devastation caused by the disaster there. Our livelihoods program supported fishermen and others who had lost everything. Helping them take their first steps on the long road to recovery. 

And the road has been long. 

Indonesia and Sri Lanka’s recoveries have been remarkable. However, they would not have been possible without the incredible tenacity of survivors and the tremendous generosity of donors, since 2004 and beyond. This is what allowed Islamic Relief and other agencies to stand by the sides of communities. Allowed us to support them to piece shattered lives back together, no matter how long it took. 

Lives in Indonesia forever changed 

The disaster changed individuals, communities, and entire countries forever. It prompted new legislation around disaster management, preparedness, and risk reduction and changed the way buildings and even entire cities were built. The humanitarian sector also changed, and it too began placing more emphasis on preparing for disasters before they happened. 

In Aceh today, Islamic Relief is working with local government to build new homes for vulnerable families, and supporting orphaned children towards a brighter future through our Orphan Sponsorship Program. 

The program is also changing young lives in Sri Lanka, where Islamic Relief’s other work includes running seasonal food distributions, programs to improve communities’ access to clean water and livelihoods support.   

A time of remembrance and celebration 

20 years on from the earthquake and tsunami, Islamic Relief is looking back at this pivotal historical event that continues to shape and influence our work today. Throughout December, we will be remembering those who lost their lives. 

Survivors with strong memories from that terrifying day. Mothers and fathers who lost their children. Children who lost their parents. Teachers and healthcare workers who were inspired and determined to rebuild their communities. Islamic Relief staff who spent weeks and months on the ground in Indonesia and Sri Lanka responding to emergency.

We’ve seen how, for many colleagues, the need to do something for survivors of this disaster is what made them become humanitarians in the first place. 

Their words can tell you so much more than one article ever could. 

The Islamic Relief Australia (IRAUS) Annual Retreat is a milestone event for reflection, collaboration, and future planning.   

Spanning over three days, the 2024 retreat was filled with gratitude, learning, and strategy-setting. It was an event that truly highlighted our commitment to continuous improvement and impactful service delivery, for our donors, rightsholders, and community.  

Day One: Building Foundations of Unity and Growth 

The retreat began with an engaging communication workshop facilitated by Br Naser Haghamed, the previous CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.  

The workshop set a collaborative tone for the retreat, emphasising transparency and trust. Key elements for strengthening not only internal team dynamics but also relationships between us and our donors, our community and the broader Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) family.  

Br Naser’s interactive approach encouraged our team to share insights and actively participate in discussions. He fostered in us a shared sense of purpose from the outset, and a determination to do better for our donors and community.  

The session concluded with practical exercises designed to address communication barriers within teams. These exercises highlighted the importance of empathy, active listening, and constructive feedback in our daily work, which we strived to implement immediately during and after the retreat.  

Day Two: Celebrating Progress and Discussing Challenges 

Our CEO, Br Samir Bennegadi, opened the second day with a rousing speech, reflecting on IRAUS’s remarkable growth and journey. He highlighted our organisation’s expanding impact and ambition, which is grounded in shared trust and commitment to our rightsholders and the community.  

Br Samir likened IRAUS to the pencil, which symbolises our team’s collective strength. While departments function independently, we unify to achieve extraordinary results. To bring the best care to our rightsholders. And ensure our donors’ kindness and support reaches them wholeheartedly.  

This metaphor framed discussions about IRAUS’s budget, ambitious goals, and departmental presentations. Br Samir emphasised that just as pencils need sharpening to function effectively, so too do teams need regular reflection and refinement to stay aligned and impactful, especially for the sake of the rightsholders and our supportive community.  

Insights from Presentations and Collaborative Discussions  

A key feature of the retreat was the series of presentations delivered by various departments. These sessions showcased IRAUS’s achievements, shared challenges, and outlined our vision for the future. The teams who presented include:  

• Supporter Care Team: Reporting key findings about our donors and how we can better support them.  
• Fundraising Team: Demonstrating innovative approaches to donor engagement and sharing inspiring stories of impact.  
• Programs Team: Presenting updates on ongoing humanitarian projects, with a focus on sustainability and empowerment for rightsholders.  
• Digital Marketing: Highlighting creative campaigns and the potential of digital tools to expand IRAUS’s reach, benefiting more of the community. 
• Corporate Services: Outlining advancements in operational efficiency and compliance to support organisational and community growth.  

These presentations not only celebrated the progress made. But also inspired collaborative discussions on aligning efforts and leveraging strengths across teams.  Highlights from the presentations included… 

Strengthening Connections 

The team explored opportunities to deepen relationships with our donors and the community, focusing on cultivating meaningful connections and understanding diverse motivations for giving. Strategies to enhance outreach and improve retention were discussed, ensuring that all supporters feel valued and engaged.  

Celebrating Campaign Milestones 

Key campaigns were celebrated for their impact, with reflections on how to amplify future initiatives. We recognised the importance of balancing immediate humanitarian needs with sustainable development programs, aligning efforts to maximise long-term benefits for rightsholders.  

Enhancing Community Presence 

Discussions highlighted IRAUS’s growing role within local communities. It emphasised the importance of IRAUS being a reliable support system for donors, families and partnering community organisations.  

Ideas were shared for extending outreach and developing programs that cater to unique regional needs, fostering inclusivity and local empowerment.  

Innovating Fundraising Approaches 

The team celebrated innovative fundraising methods that have driven significant growth and strengthened our partnerships, while also acknowledging areas for improvement.  

Emphasis was placed on ensuring equitable resource allocation for each of the communities IRAUS serves. As well as fostering creativity by engaging with donors and the community through meaningful events and innovative technology.  

Advancing Digital and Marketing Strategies 

The marketing team shared insights into the evolving landscape of online engagement. By embracing diverse platforms and adapting to challenges, we were able to find and explore more meaningful ways to reach and engage with new audiences and better support the community.  

Operational Excellence and Streamlining Processes 

Updates from corporate services underscored the strides IRAUS made in enhancing efficiency, compliance, and teamwork through tools like project management software. These improvements ensure that our team can deliver on our mission with greater agility and precision for our rightsholders and donors. 

Day Three: Planning for 2025 and Beyond 

Reflecting on 2024 as a year of challenges and growth, the team set ambitious goals for 2025, including: 

• Enchancing Donor Care and Community Support: Innovative campaigns aimed at engaging new demographics, such as young professionals and digital natives. As well as better support and engagement for our current audience.  
• Strengthening Local and International Partnerships: Deepening collaborations with grassroots organisations to amplify impact through mutually beneficial initiatives.  
• Enhancing Storytelling: Using multimedia to convey the tangible impact of our donors’ support, such as video testimonials from rightsholders and more regular impact reports.  
• Strategic Growth in Untapped Regions: Establishing a physical presence in Australian states beyond NSW, Victoria or Queensland, connecting with more community organisations and expanding our outreach. 

The retreat concluded with team-building activities designed to unite departments and reinforce the shared mission to best benefit and empower rightsholders and connect them to the community. This allowed us to focus and reflect on:  

Building Trust and Engagement 

The retreat underscored our commitment to transparency and gratitude, ensuring that every supporter feels the tangible impact of their contributions.  

During the planning stage, we refined our approaches to engagement and outreach, striving to deepen bonds with our donors, by providing more impact reports, dedicated events, and faster responses on feedback.    

Elevating Voices and Delivering Impact 

The retreat had a strong focus on innovative strategies and sustainable development for rightsholders.  

During the planing stage, we ensured that aid programs addressed both the immediate and long-term needs of those most in need. Aligning internal processes even more closely with rightsholders’ aspirations, amplifying their voices and expanding pathways for enduring change. 

Expanding Our Influence 

Last, but not least, the retreat emphasised the importance of leveraging innovation, collaboration, and digital strategies to broaden outreach.  

As our organisation grows locally and globally, we become better equipped to tackle emerging challenges and seize opportunities to deliver impactful humanitarian aid – a collective vision shared by the team, donors, and rightsholders. 

Following participating in brainstorming sessions and collaborative planning exercises, we left the retreat with clear action plans and renewed enthusiasm. Ready to engage with donors and bring even more positive change to the world’s most vulnerable.  

Final Reflections 

The 2024 IRAUS Yearly Retreat was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose. By coming together to reflect, celebrate, and strategise, we reaffirmed our commitment to delivering impactful humanitarian aid and driving meaningful change.   

IRAUS stands poised for greater impact in 2025, continuing our role as a trusted leader in the NGO space. As the retreat underscored the power of unity, resilience, and shared vision, setting the stage for another year of transformative work. 

Since late November 2024, severe flooding from the Niger River has devastated parts of Timbuktu and Mopti of Mali. It is displacing thousands, destroying infrastructure, and disrupting essential services.  

With over 6,700 households affected, communities face urgent needs for food, shelter, and healthcare. Islamic Relief Mali launched an emergency response to provide immediate relief and support long-term recovery. However, more aid is critical to address this escalating crisis. 

The Escalating Flooding Situation in Mali

Mali has been experiencing above-average rainfall since July 2024. The ongoing rains and devastating floods in the Niger River have caused overflows, affecting all communes located along the river strip.  

By November 27, 2024, severe flooding from the Niger River impacted communes in Gourma Rharous and Douentza circles, within Timbuktu and Mopti regions.  

Now, as of December 5, 2024, over 153 villages with 6,758 households have been affected by the floods. The disaster has devastated agriculture, livestock, and homes. It is destroying farmlands and disrupting pastoral activities and essential resource access. 

Increasing Damage from the Floods 

The floods have caused extensive damage, destroying homes, latrines, livestock, farmland, and essential services like schools, health centers, and water points.  

Floods have also devastated livelihoods, severely impacting rice crops before harvest and submerging grazing areas, leaving livestock without access to food and resources. 

This has displaced many Mali citizens, increasing their risks of waterborne diseases, early hunger, undernutrition, and food insecurity. 

A majority of affected households (84%) households struggle to make ends meet, while almost half (48%) are homeless or displaced, living with family.  

Most (82%) households have also lost everything. 52% of households need social protection, while 72% collect their drinking water from unprotected wells.  

The situation demands urgent humanitarian assistance to address the critical needs of affected communities. 

Currently, the government and other agencies are assessing the extent of the damage. with initial reports highlighting significant destruction.  

Islamic Relief’s Response to Mali Emergency 

Islamic Relief’s local teams are on the ground conducting ongoing assessments, which will provide updates on damages, impacted populations, and humanitarian response efforts. Ensuring a coordinated, efficient response that promptly addresses the needs of affected communities. 

They are also beginning immediate distribution of food, non-food items (NFI), and shelter assistance. This will impact 215 flood-affected households in the communes of Banikane, Séréré, Rharous, and Hamzakoma.  

Our teams plan an urgent intervention to provide food, non-food items (NFI), and shelter assistance to affected households in the Rharous circle. Specifically in the communes of Banikane, Rharous, Séréré, and Hamzakoma.  

Each family will be provided with cash vouchers that allow them to purchase the relief items they need.  

The local Islamic Relief team in Mali is also coordinating with the relevant authorities, other humanitarian actors to ensure our response is timely and appropriate.  

In the short and long term, Islamic Relief will take the resilience actions required to rebuild families’ livelihoods.  

This includes the construction and rehabilitation of housing, village irrigation schemes, market gardening schemes, water points, schools, and other important facilities. There will also be the provision of agricultural inputs and equipment.  

The overall situation in Northern and Centre Mali is increasingly precarious. Especially due to the effects of flood and the situation is deteriorating by the day. Continued support and immediate action are essential to address the vulnerabilities faced by local communities and displaced families.  

The flooding persists, with the potential to exacerbate material damage, and the situation remains alarming. 

Sri Lanka is grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. It unleashed heavy rainfall, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms across the country.  

Since late November, the unrelenting weather has caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction, leaving many vulnerable communities in crisis. 

The Cyclone’s Destruction  

Heavy rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning continue to impact most of Sri Lanka, causing floods, landslides, and severe weather-related incidents. This has resulted in casualties and widespread damage.  

The most affected provinces include Northern, Uva, North-Western, Western, North Central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Southern regions. 

Continuous rainfall in Sri Lanka began on 23 November 2024, with the situation worsening significantly on 28 November 2024. This was due to a slow-moving deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal (Cyclone Fengal). This severely affected the region and triggered widespread flooding. 

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC), as of 3^rd December 2024, reported mass destruction in Sri Lanka. There are 18 fatalities, 19 injured individuals, and nearly 5,100 people still displaced across 64 evacuation centres. 

Approximately 468,750 people have been affected across the impacted provinces. Additionally, the DMC reports 107 houses fully destroyed and more than 2,600 houses partially damaged. 

Islamic Relief’s Response to the Emergency in Sri Lanka

The IPD Emergency Panel convened to discuss an Emergency Alert issued by Islamic Relief Sri Lanka in response to the heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Fengal.

The Emergency panel approved a response, allowing Islamic Relief to initiate immediate response activities and eventually scale up to cover unmet needs. 

Islamic Relief is proposing an immediate intervention by providing unconditional cash assistance to affected households in the Eastern Province (Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara districts), Northwestern Province (Puttalam District), and North Central Province (Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts).  

The immediate response will prioritise reaching the existing right holders who have been severely impacted. This includes orphaned children supported under the Orphan Support Program and other rightsholders from ongoing Islamic Relief funded projects. 

The cold winter months leave Afghanistan’s most vulnerable struggling. Mozdalifa lives with her 2 sons in Botkhak, a camp for internally displaced people in th nation’s capital, Kabul.

Since losing her husband 6 years ago, the 45-year-old has struggled to make ends meet.

“We don’t have food every day. One day, we have food and we keep the same food for the next day, so we don’t starve,” Mozdalifa says.

The roof of the family’s 1-room mud-brick house is damaged, making it impossible to keep out the winter cold.

But Mozdalifa can barely afford rent, let alone the necessary repairs.

Winters in Afghanistan can be extremely harsh with temperatures dropping to -25°C, sometimes even lower, for months at a time. Last year, temperatures fell as low as -34°C and more than 160 people died. 

To fight the cold, Mozdalifa’s sons collect plastic bottles and other waste, which she burns to heat their room. The fumes are toxic, but it’s their only way of keeping warm. 

A lifeline during the coldest months 

Islamic Relief’s annual Winterisation Program provides blankets, fuel and warm clothing to families in need.  

Last winter, Mozdalifa was one of around 475,500 people across 18 countries to receive this vital support. 

This year, we plan to extend the program to reach families in 19 countries. With your support, Islamic Relief can be a lifeline to even more people in need. 

Please help us protect families from the worst of winter. Donate to our Winter Appeal now. 

For families already struggling with poverty, the winter season brings even greater challenges.

With temperatures dropping to 10°C in normally balmy Bangladesh, the cold and foggy weather can be difficult for those who are accustomed to a warmer climate.

Cold, fever and other sicknesses strike many people, particularly children and the elderly.

Winter, a difficult time of year

For Mohammed, 58, the cold season is an unwelcome disruption. “The month of winter means months of unhappiness,” he says. “This is a difficult time of year.”

The father of 3 describes how his family suffers greatly from conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, and high fever during the cold months. The family struggles to make ends meet and afford treatment and care for one of Mohammed’s daughters, who has a disability.

41-year-old Hamida lives with her husband and 7 children. Her husband sometimes earns a small amount of money working as a day labourer, but the family struggles to make ends meet.

The arrival of winter, with its excessive cold and fog, means there are fewer opportunities to earn, and the family are unable to buy themselves warm clothes for cold weather.

It is a vicious cycle, with the lack of appropriate clothing leaving Hamida’s family vulnerable to illness, which in turn, affects their ability to work.

Protecting families from the cold

Islamic Relief’s annual Winterisation Program provides blankets, fuel and warm clothing to families in need.

Last winter, Islamic Relief supported 475,500 people across 18 countries to receive this vital support.

Photo: Mohammed and Hamida’s families are among those assisted last year

Mohammed describes his family’s happiness at receiving warm clothes from Islamic Relief. “These hoodies will protect our children from cold,” he says, with relief.

This year, we plan to extend the program to reach families in 19 countries. With your support, Islamic Relief can be a lifeline to even more people in need.

Please help us protect families from increasing hardship during the cold months. Donate to our Winter Appeal now.