Updated 18 August 2010

WHAT IS WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY?
In December 2008, the General Assembly of the United Nations determined that World Humanitarian Day should be marked on 19 August every year to “contribute to increasing public awareness about humanitarian work and the importance of international cooperation, and to commemorate all humanitarian and United Nations and associated personnel who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause, and those who have lost their lives in the course of duty.”

The General Assembly invited all countries, United Nations entities and international and non-governmental organisations to observe the day annually, providing an opportunity to increase public support for humanitarian work worldwide.

WHY IS IT OBSERVED ON 19 AUGUST?
19 August is the same day as the Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad in 2003. Twenty-two people lost their lives, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello. World Humanitarian Day was designated in memory of those who died in the bombing in 2003, but also in memory of the many aid workers who have lost their lives in the humanitarian cause. The day is also held to emphasize current humanitarian needs and challenges worldwide, such as threats to humanitarian aid workers by conflicting parties, challenges in reaching the people we try to assist, and the increasing complexity of the humanitarian environment due to food price shocks, global market turbulence, water shortages and climate change. Particular focus will be placed on the people on whose behalf we work.

WHAT IS THE FOCUS FOR THIS YEAR’S WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY
There are three main areas of focus for this year’s commemoration of the day:

• To draw attention to humanitarian needs worldwide;
• To explain, in simple, visual terms what humanitarian aid work entails;
• To remember those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.

SNAPSHOT OF THE WORLD FEDERATION'S HUMANITARIAN WORK THIS PAST YEAR
One of the main purposes of The World Federation of KSIMC is to reach out to humanity in response to disaster situations as well as economic development opportunities. Volunteers who assist our programmes as humanitarian aid workers, participate in every aspect of the work. Here is a glimpse of a few of our humanitarian efforts carried out this past year in cooperation with our partnering agencies from across the world:

Ali Asghar Water Appeal - The World Federation’s Ali Asghar Water Appeal (AAWA) addresses the inadequate water and sanitation facilities in the developing world by raising funds to construct water wells and building proper sanitation facilities for the benefit of our community members who do not have access to these services. The AAWA has focused its efforts initially in India, Pakistan and Kenya.

In Kenya, the youths of the KSIM Community of Birmingham raised £1,500 to build much needed sanitation facilities in Kenya as part of The World Federation’s Water and Sanitation Project. Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya (BMMK) managed the construction of four new Ventilation Improved Pit (VIP) latrines at Aman Centre, Dembwa village in Rural Tiata Taveta District in Kenya. These sanitation facilities include new water storage tanks as well as adequate plumbing and drainage.

A second water and sanitation project in Kenya included the installation of toilets and water supply sources for a Multi-Purpose complex which included a masjid, classrooms and a house for the Mualim. Here, several modern gender-segregated toilets were constructed and water tanks were installed to receive rain and fresh water supply.

On Eid-e-Ghadeer 1430, The World Federation in partnership with the Hussaini Foundation started the construction of 7 water wells in remote areas of Sindh. Villages here are in acute shortage of water, where they have to struggle to access water from far distances. Local water supplies which are collected from ponds during rains are contaminated.

Baluchistan Earthquake Appeal - On 29 October 2008, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Baluchistan Province in South-West Pakistan. About 280 people lost their lives and about 15,000 people were injured. The World Federation worked jointly with the Hussaini Foundation of Pakistan to provide assistance to those affected by the disaster. 

Initial aid to the people of Baluchistan included the purchase and distribution of food rations and other basic necessitie. Relief items were also distributed in Ziarat and nearby villages which included:

Bangladesh Fire Relief - A deadly fire claimed the lives of over 115 people (including 10 Shia Muslims) on the evening of 3 June 2010 in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, injuring over 150 local residents. Since the tragic event, The World Federation’s partnering agency in Bangladesh worked closely with the Shia community there who was also affected by the fire. The World Federation opened the BANGLADESH FIRE FUND to fund the repair and reconstruction of two homes in Nawab Katra Nimtali, Old Dhaka that were damaged by the fire and whose family breadwinners died in the fire.

Gaza Relief - Following the massive devastation caused by the war of the Israeli Army in January 2009, The World Federation joined the global outcry and initiated the Gaza Appeal to help with the reconstruction efforts for the displaced victims. The World Federation partnered with the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), for a £46,060 aid for the reconstruction efforts of the moderate housing in the Gaza city.

Assistance to 62 refugee families, supporting 413 dependants, in the North Area, Gaza, Middle Area, Khan Yunis and Rafah regions was provided enabling them to finance minor and moderate repairs for their damaged homes. The dispersement of funds was undertaken after a thorough eligibility assessment of the needs of the beneficiaries, by the UNRWA.

Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive - The World Federation’s Blanket Drive 2009, in partnership with a local NGO, distributed essential blankets worth £6,000 helping over 850 needy people in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. With extreme cold temperatures, prevalent snow and cold winds, the poor and needy continue to suffer.

Haiti Relief - On Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 4:53pm, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated southern Haiti. On 20 January 2010 The World Federation learned that there are about 100 to 150 Shia Muslims in Haiti. Our brother who survived the earthquake reported that the Al-Mahdi Centre in Haiti was flattened by the quake and 7 children lost their lives. As well, most of the Shia families were homeless.

The World Federation started the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund help the Al-Mahdi community in Haiti with relief efforts:

• The Al Mahdi School in Haiti was severely damaged by the quake. The World Federation funded the $2,500 USD needed to complete the construction of an interim school. The Al Mahdi School is up and running in its newly constructed shelter, where the teachers can teach in a more suitable environment and the children can learn in peace and comfort. 
• On 29 March 2010, a 20 foot container filled with much needed supplies were shipped to Haiti’s Al Mahdi Islamic Centre from Montreal, Canada.  A group of volunteers in Montreal came together to collect, sort and pack items to fill an entire container. With limited funds on hand to fill and transport the container, The World Federation and NASIMCO stepped in and donated $5,000 CAD towards this initiative. This contribution funded the cost of all the food, 4 large tents and 4 foam mattresses.
• A second container of food and supplies was sent to Haiti in time for Ramadhan.

Ramadhan Relief Programme - The concept of Ramadhan Relief is to make the month of Ramadhan a little more pleasant with less financial and material worries for those who live in poverty and are fasting; these individuals include the poor, orphans and widows. In Ramadhan 2009, The World Federation launched the annual Ramadhan Relief Program where a total of £211,553 was distributed to help the poor and needy beneficiaries across 12 countries including Bangladesh, Bosnia, Burma, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Tanzania. 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. 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.

Hangu Housing Project - The World Federation partnered with a local NGO, the Hussaini Foundation of Pakistan, to rebuild homes in the fragile district of Hangu, Pakistan. In early 2009, over 27 houses were destroyed and 74 homes damages in Hangu by the groups affiliated to the Al Qaeda. The World Federation has contributed £2,548 for the reconstruction efforts and emergency relief programs for the displaced families. Nine houses have been re-constructed and 6 partially damaged homes have been renovated till the end of the year.

Sponsor our Seniors Programme - The World Federation Sponsor our Seniors Program was initiated to address the financial needs of our elders living in poverty. Sponsorships of £10 (GBP) / $15 (USD) / $20 (CDN) per month, allow seniors to afford some basic living essentials including balanced and healthy meals, decent clothes, safe and secure living environments and access to medical care.  The World Federation is sponsoring a total of 184 seniors in Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka.

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