Updated 11 November 2008

As The World Federation continues to receive reports for Ramadhan Relief 1429 from its partnering agencies across the world, it is clear that together, we have made a difference in the lives of Mo’mineen this past Ramadhan. The map below depicts the various countries that received support through The World Federation’s Ramadhan Relief Programme. We thank you for reaching out to our brothers and sisters this Ramadhan through your generous contributions.

RAMADHAN RELIEF PROGRAMME:  NEEDS ASSESSMENTS
Each year, in preparation for the annual Ramadhan Relief Program, The World Federation carries out a needs assessment by contacting each of its partnering agencies across the world. The concept of Ramadhan Relief is to make the month of Ramadhan a little more pleasant with less financial and material worries for the Rozedaars including those who are poor, orphans or widows. Once the needs assessments are reviewed, funds are then allocated to the different agencies so that they can begin preparing and distributing aid to the deserving in time for Ramadhan.

These needs assessments clarify information such as:

• Whether the organisations will be assisting Sadaat, Non-sadaats or both
• An estimate of their requirements
• The types of initiatives they plan to carry out in each of their regions which must include any of the following:

* Distribution of ration
* Distribution of essential household items like bedding, blankets
* Distribution of essential clothing
* Distribution of cash as we may not know the priorities and hardships of the recipients
* Clearing of debts or income generation support
* other welfare work that may be localised for a particular area

PROMOTING TABLEEGH INITIATIVES
In addition to relief of poverty, The World Federation also encourages and promotes tableegh initiatives. Thus, the Ramadhan Relief Programme is made more effective by having these dual purposes, where possible. Many of our partnering agencies work hard to not only provide the basic needs for the destitute in their regions, but also provide opportunities for others to learn more about Islam, spreading the message of the Ahlul Bayt (as) as far and as wide as possible.

A GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Providing food to the needy Mo’mineen during Ramadhan is one of The World Federation’s main goals of this Programme.  Globally, the food crisis is very real and it is affecting the poor rural people across the developing world today, including the Muslim population. In almost all countries, food prices have risen in 2007 as well as 2008. The extent to which they have increased varies considerably country by country, and indeed within countries, from 10-20 per cent to 200 per cent. This development has been reported in all of the needs assessments provided by our agencies.

The increased prices are a result of higher input costs, higher transportation costs (both a consequence of increasing fuel prices), in a few countries civil unrest, and above all, agro-climatic conditions where floods, droughts and frosts led to substantial increases in prices in many countries.

As a result, it is the poor rural people who are losing out and are becoming poorer. As consumers, they respond to the high cost of food by reducing the amount they eat, and are forced to purchase lower cost and lower quality of foods. The sad result of this trend is the growing concern in the rise of malnutrition reported by a number of countries. 

May Allah (swt) shower His Mercy and Blessings on those who struggle day to day, and may He strengthen our resolve as a community to continue to provide for those who are in need of our love.

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org