Islamic Relief USA

Food security and livelihoods:includes activities related to fisheries, livestock, pests and pesticides, seed systems and agricultural inputs, veterinary medicines and vaccines. Also includes activities related to long-term and short-term economic asset development, asset restoration, market infrastructure rehabilitation, micro-credit, microfinance, and temporary employment such as cash for work.examples include, but are not limited to, the following:in bosnia, irusa funded a sustainability project that focuses on livelihood and food security. Through this project of agricultural start up for poor people, 81 households received greenhouses and 39 households received food dryers.in palestine, irusa-supported projects are training youth and palestinian women important business and life skills in order to have productive income and support their families.in afghanistan, irusa funded projects to provide food items, non-food items and hygiene kits to internally displaced persons, poor families and host communities. In afghanistan, irusa funded a project that reduced poverty of most vulnerable households in balkh, nangarhar, bamiyan and herat provinces in afghanistan, through promoting more profitable and resilient livelihoods, strengthening saffron value chain, and introducing green energy.in myanmar, irusa funded a project that ultimately aimed at the most vulnerable and mistreated extreme poor stranded communities in pauktaw and buthidaung townships in rakhine state have improved socio economic condition with increased access to livelihood means and wash facilities.in pakistan, irusa funded a project that supported sustainable economic growth initiatives in district bagh & haveli of azad jammu and kashmir (ajk) with particular focus on institutional strengthening in the areas of food security livelihoods and integrated water resource management complemented through climate-friendly programmingin pakistan, irusa funded a project that, strengthen the resilience of communities with khyber pakhtunkhwa for improved food security situation and sustainable income through climate sensitive livelihood programming at community level through capacity building and utilization of local resourcesin ethiopia, kenya, somalia, south sudan, and sudan, irusa funded a project that increases opportunities for households and community groups to engage in sustainable means of livelihoods for dignified standards of living. In ethiopia, kenya, somalia, south sudan, and sudan, irusa funded a project that contributes to the reduction of drought impact among affected communities in the east and horn of africa through improved food security, access to health, water, protection, and restoration of dignity. Beneficiaries: approximately 2,123,491

Emergency response & preparedness:this category includes activities focused on the immediate lifesaving needs of a population at the onset of a disaster, such as providing clean water, sanitation, food, temporary shelter, household items and emergency medical assistance. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:in bosnia, after the floods in ilijas municipal, irusa helped provide 200 households (660 beneficiaries) with heating material, clothes and shoes, repair and painting of walls, painting tools and 3 moisture drying machines.in kosovo, irusa supported a project to provide warm clothing to afghan refugees residing in a camp after evacuation from afghanistan a few months prior. The intervention also provided vision exams as well as corrective lenses for those who needed it.in the philippines, irusa funded a project that improved access to quality food and hygiene for the 1,200 households affected by tropical storm megi (l.n. Agaton). The 1,200 affected households received quality food packets, hygiene essentials with safe water containers.in south sudan, emergency food packs were able to save lives through reducing hunger and increasing access to food intake for 18,960 individuals in tonj north through the two round food packs distribution hence boosting their immune system and reduced incidences of acute malnutrition among children under 5 years, elderly, pregnant and lactating women.in ethiopia, kenya, somalia, south sudan, and sudan cash assistance, construction and rehabilitation of water structures, livestock distribution, agricultural tools and seeds distributions, and training on disaster response and resilience was implemented to respond to the ongoing drought and to prevent famine. Beneficiaries: approximately 1,352,030

Orphan support: irusa's work in this sector focuses primarily on quarterly support to orphans to supplement their basic needs, such as food, education, health care, and clothing.irusa supported approximately 29,204 orphans in the following 23 locations through the orphans 1-2-1 sponsorship program: afghanistan, albania, bangladesh, bosnia, chechnya, ethiopia, india, indonesia, iraq, jordan, kenya, kosovo, lebanon, malawi, mali, niger, pakistan, somalia, south africa, sri lanka, sudan, turkiye, and yemen. In addition to the 1-2-1 program, irusa also implements additional orphan support programs. In afghanistan, irusa funded a project, that intended to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development of 700 orphaned families in jalalabad, balkh and bamiyan provinces in afghanistan, restore their social dignity and protection; enhance economic productivity, income, livelihood security; promote rights and protection of the orphan children; and bring the orphaned families out of poverty.

Us grants - irusa offers 501(c)(3) organizations opportunities to apply for grant funds. This funding helps facilitate projects such as food programs, health and wellness initiatives, and livelihood assistance, in addition to other domestic initiatives. Us grants focus on providing 501(c)(3) organizations with funding opportunities that cover a broad array of social issues, addressing one or more of the following: short-term poverty and hunger alleviation through the provision of critical emergency support.support for refugee or immigrant integration through programs enabling refugees and immigrants to become economically self-sufficient and develop stronger social networks.community-based primary medical care for people living in poverty.long-term programming designed to create greater self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods, including domestic violence services, leadership development, specialized education programs, and community development initiatives with the goal of bridging the gaps between communities to build solidarity and promote social justice. Beneficiaries: 6,5851. Seasonal programs a. ramadan food boxes: irusa facilitated the procurement and creation of 640,000 pounds of food boxes to be distributed to 501(c)(3) organizations across the united states. Each food box contains a sufficient amount of food for a family of five for two weeks and consists of basic food staples. Irusa hosted distributions at 44 sites across 20 states and served 125,000 rights holders with 640,000 pounds of food.beneficiaries: 125,000 updatedb.qurbani (meat distribution): irusa's annual u.s. qurbani program addresses food insecurity and provides freshly slaughtered beef and/or lamb, distributed in frozen or refrigerated packets, to vulnerable communities (e.g. Immigrants, refugees, minorities, disabled, low income households, and the elderly) across the united states. The program focuses on providing 501(c)(3) organizations with an efficient process to distribute halal meat to families in need. This process will be implemented by using grants and direct services via local vendors. This program allows irusa to help the community fulfill their religious obligation to feed the needy. The program has been implemented in approximately 44 cities across 18 states, which served an estimated 100,000 clients through 55 partnerships. The total amount of meat for all approved partners: 98,049 lbs.beneficiaries: 100,000 updatedc. Summer food service program (sfsp): the sfsp supplements and supports the usda in their effort to provide food to children in need during the summer. Irusa provides financial support in the form of a grant to organizations to be able to start a usda-approved site, increase the capacity of their current usda-approved site(s) or develop their role as the meal-providing sponsor to sub-grantees. This program allowed irusa to help rural and urban communities combat food insecurity. Irusa served an estimated 51,000 clients through 9 partnerships and an estimated 68,691 pounds of food had been distributed.beneficiaries: 51,000 updatedd.thanksgiving turkey distribution: the irusa u.s. turkey distribution program combines providing food security to underserved communities with bringing the joy of celebrating an american tradition in a dignified manner by providing halal turkeys to beneficiaries through our partners this program allows irusa to assist partner organizations in providing support for clients who face food insecurity, as part of irusa's food security program and seasonal programs. Irusa served 90,000 clients through 44 partnershipsbeneficiaries: 90,000 updatede. Martin luther king jr. (mlk) day of service: this project changed from small in kind donations to one food box pack out in alexandria va with episcopal high school in support of alive! A alexandria va based. In celebration of the mlk day of service, irusa provided assistance to vulnerable people affected by the covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis in meeting their basic food and safety needs. Beneficiaries: 2,000 updated2. Day of dignity (dod) - the day of dignity program provides the provision of food, clothes, medical screenings, and referral services for underprivileged populations (homeless, refugee, poor working communities). Day of dignity is irusa's flagship effort to reach out to the community along with grantees and partners to promote services for those most in need. The day is meant to build relationships with interfaith partners and local government. The dod builds relationships and encourages local organizations to have a transformative impact in their community. It is also an effort to provide basic living essentials and medical services to people lacking these essentials. In kind gifts include: - citypak backpacks - coats for men, women, and children - hygiene kits - school kits (primary, elementary and jr/hs children) - feminine hygiene products - winterization kits beneficiaries: 54,282 in 19 states and the district of columbia. Updated 3. Hot meals program - hot meals program was initiated in 2021 to address the issue of food insecurity in urban areas. The goals of this program are to provide regular nutritional hot meals to the very needy and vulnerable people in major urban cities across the USA. Contribute to alleviate the burden on the very needy and vulnerable people in major urban cities across the USA. By providing them nutritional hot meals, they will save their resources for other critical expenses. Build a platform to engage volunteers on a weekly basis and to expand fundraising for us programs through irusa's engagement with the private sector and more corporate giving.program is running in two states: new york and chicago. Beneficiaries: 107,929 (7,500 was during ramadan 2023 in nyc) updated 4. Community response initiative grants - to continue the community response grant track in collaboration with cfd, to provide $5-$15k grants in support of community-based organizations' distribution of food, hygiene, ppe, school supplies and other essential items to vulnerable communities in the united states. Other valuable projects related to social service programs and community development may also be proposed and approved. Beneficiary count: 5,806

Health and nutritionincludes activities related to communicable diseases, health education/behavior change, health systems and general health, medical commodities and pharmaceuticals, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, infant and young child feeding, management of moderate acute malnutrition, management of severe acute malnutrition, nutrition education and behavior change, and nutrition systems. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:in kosovo, the project provided free home health care for the residents of the municipality of obiliq, with a special attention for maternity women, new born babies, persons with disabilities and old people. 5000 total beneficiaries received free healthcare. In jordan, irusa is supporting a project that provides syrian refugees and vulnerable jordanians with free primary healthcare via its two mobile clinics and a third mobile medical team. The project is also covering the cost of urgently needed surgeries. The surgeries are sometimes done in coordination with other organizations running medical missions, which allows for more specialized interventions as well as lower costs.in south sudan, primary health services were enhanced through the reconstruction and equipping of facilities. Projects also contributed to the increased capacity of health care providers and increased access to immunization, reproductive and maternal, newborn and child healthcare services. Programming has also resulted in equitable access to life saving nutrition sensitive and preventative services to children, pregnant and lactating women with acute malnutrition.in niger, projects have contributed towards improving access of children under five in the district of ouallam to quality and timely nutrition health care services through effective community based malnutrition management practice reinforcement, enhancing human resources for effective malnutrition management and nutrition services in health centers, ensuring women have increased control over nutrition-responsive food production systems (household consumption of diversified and nutritious foods), and that nutrition sensitive and gender responsive community disaster risk reduction planning is undertaken in targeted communities and at authority levels.in nepal, irusa funded a project that strengthened the life skills abilities and positive behaviors that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. According to who, life skills may be defined as "abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life". These skills include confidence, assertiveness, critical and creative thinking, decision-making, and developing healthy relationships. In niger, irusa distributed the two containers of gik donations, containing essential medicines and multiple micronutrient supplements (mms) tablets, in 13 district hospitals in the tillaberi region of niger. The distribution of donations improved the quality of health care services in the target hospitals where pregnant and breastfeeding women and the children under age of 5 received better health care services. The distribution of donated medicines reduced common diseases that generally affect young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. (total beneficiaries 959,399). Beneficiaries: approximately 1,913,332

Water, sanitation & hygieneincludes activities related to environmental health, hygiene promotion, sanitation, and water supply.examples include, but are not limited to, the following:in yemen, irusa is supporting the rehabilitation of 12 municipal level water sources in four governorates. Implementation began in late 2021 and ended in early 2023. The rehabilitation process includes testing the water sources' water quality and quantity, rehabilitation the pumping, including installing solar panels to power the pump, and adding piping to bring the water into the targeted communities. Water management committees are formed in each community to maintain the well and hygiene information and kits are distributed to particularly vulnerable residents. The project team also used cost savings to built a treatment plant for one rehabilitated well that would have otherwise been unusable due to high iron content.in pakistan, irusa funded a project to improve existing water, sanitation and hygiene (wash) and livelihood practices at peshawar and orakzai districts of khyber pakhtunkhwa. In sri lanka, irusa funded a project that supported improving water and sanitation services to vulnerable communities in the country.in nepal, irusa funded a project that provided awareness on wash, through activities including wash awareness campaigns, households were provided with knowledge in improved personal hygiene behavior. This also allowed beneficiaries to continue the information dissemination to further educate the wider community, spreading the lessons of good personal hygiene. Likewise, these activities mainstreamed wash policy at rural municipality and ward level.in malawi, communities were supported through the provision of access to safe and clean water infrastructure. In south sudan, conflict affected communities were able to have access to improved sanitation and hygiene through the rehabilitation of boreholes.in kenya, irusa funded a project that improved living standards for target beneficiaries through an integrated livelihood approach. This was achieved by increasing access to safe, portable, clean water and sanitation for target communities in kilifi and tana river counties.beneficiaries: approximately 101,594

Educationincludes activities related to facilitating access to quality education, whether formal education or informal education.examples include, but are not limited to, the following:in afghanistan, irusa funded a project to improve the educational status of girls and boys in target districts of balkh, kandahar and nangarhar provinces in afghanistan. In sri lanka, irusa funded a project to encourage students to go to school by providing them with learning support materials and bicycles as the pandemic affected their lives and made them more vulnerable.in kenya, schools benefited from the rehabilitation of classrooms, teacher training for teaching pedagogy with a focus on special needs education and the provision of assistive learning materials.in sudan, communities were supported through the rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools, the connection of water infrastructure to schools and the distribution of uniforms, textbooks and school supplies for children. Beneficiaries: approximately 95,361