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Saturday, May 09, 2020 / 09:00AM /
UNHCR / Header Image Credit: UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) has urged Muslims and other faith-based organisations to support
refugees struggling to cope with the repercussions of the global COVID-19
pandemic through the Refugee Zakat Fund. In a video statement at the
official launch of the UNHCR's 2020
Islamic Philanthropy Report in Qatar on Sunday
April 19th, 2020, Mr Khaled Khalifa, Senior Adviser and
Regional Representative of the UNHCR to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
countries, emphasized that "in the countries where UNHCR operates, the COVID-19
pandemic is an emergency on top of an emergency."
The Report which highlights the impact of the
Refugee Zakat Fund on vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons
(IDPs) across the globe revealed that in 2019, the Refugee Zakat Fund received
a total of over US$43,165,000 million, including the largest ever single
contribution made by the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian
Fund of over USD35 million which has helped to support a total of 164,696
vulnerable families (875,000 individuals). The Report further reveals that
other donations to the UNHCR Refugee Zakat Fund were from individuals,
institutional partners and philanthropists, primarily from the MENA region.
These donations have helped provide life-saving assistance to a total of
191,497 vulnerable families and 1,025,014 refugees and internally displaced
persons in Bangladesh, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia and Mauritania.
On his contribution, Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin
Thani Al-Thani, Founder of the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani
Humanitarian Fund observed that "Displaced communities are, without a doubt,
among the most vulnerable populations that require close and strategic
attention from philanthropists wanting to make a serious impact on the state of
the globe". He further stressed that "The Muslim World has a
historic opportunity to further demonstrate the significant role of Islamic
social finance, and particularly Zakat, in humanitarian assistance, through
extending a helping hand to the world's displaced populations, while realizing
key Sustainable Development Goals"
Expressing gratitude to the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin
Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund, and all individuals, Foundations, financial
institutions and faith-based organisations who have entrusted UNHCR with their
Zakat thus enabling it to reach over 1 million needy and displaced persons, Mr
Khaled Khalifa, emphasized that "Today, and in view of the current global
health situation, more refugees will require our humanitarian assistance, and
Zakat and Islamic philanthropy can have a significant impact in responding to
these needs"
Giving a graphic description of the grim situation
of refugees and displaced persons worldwide, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi said, "Imagine trying to
cope with this (the coronavirus pandemic) crisis with no access to soap and
water to wash your hands. No hope of isolating yourself because of overcrowded
conditions. No shelter to stay safely inside. Imagine having to do this after
already having been forced by war to flee your home and your family. This is
the tragic reality today for far too many refugees and displaced families
around the world."
Faced with the urgent push to curb the risk and
lessen the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on vulnerable communities the UNHCR had
on March 25th, appealed for US$255 million, noting that funds were critical to
urgently support UNHCR's preparedness and response in situations of forced
displacement over the next nine months.
The
Refugee
Zakat Fund
was launched by UNHCR in 2019, as a trusted, compliant and effective
distributor harnessing the power of Zakat to transform the lives of the most
vulnerable refugee and IDPs, through partnerships and collaboration with Zakat
institutions, foundations and philanthropists. The fund is backed by five
fatwas (religious rulings) and is subject to strict governance, ensuring utmost
transparency at every step - from donation to provision of assistance. Since
its inception in 2019, the fund has assisted more than one million vulnerable
beneficiaries worldwide.
For more
information, Kindly contact Raefah Makki, Campaign and Advocacy Officer, UNHCR
Mena makkir@unhcr.org
About UNHCR
UNHCR,
the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to
flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving
assistance that includes shelter, food and water, as well as help safeguard
fundamental human rights. We also develop solutions that ensure people have a
safe place to call home where they can build a better future and work to ensure
that stateless people are granted a nationality.
Kindly download the Full UNHCR
2020 Annual Report
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