Islamic Relief USA

Organization's name: Islamic Relief USA
Organization's acronym: IRUSA
Former Name(s): Islamic Relief
Headquarters address  
Address: 3655 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
ZAP
United States of America
Phone: (703) 370-7202
Fax: (703) 370-7201
Email: publicaffairs@irusa.org
Web site: www.irusa.org
Organization type: Cooperative
Languages:
  • English

Activities

Areas of expertise & Fields of activity:
Economic and Social:
  • Children
  • Extreme poverty
  • Food
  • Humanitarian Affairs
  • Micro-Credit
  • Migration
  • Refugees
  • Sustainable Development
  • Water
  • Women/gender Equality

Social Development:
  • Conflict
  • Poverty

Sustainable Development:
  • Agriculture
  • Desertification and Drought
  • Disaster management and vulnerability
  • Education
  • Freshwater
  • Health
  • Human settlements
  • Partnerships
  • Poverty
  • Rural Development
  • Sanitation
Geographic scope: International
Country of activity:
  • Mali
  • Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan
  • India
  • Iraq
  • Albania
  • State of Palestine
  • Indonesia
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Lebanon
  • Yemen
  • Bangladesh
  • China
  • Haiti
  • Afghanistan
  • Egypt
  • Jordan
Millennium Development Goals:
  • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  • Achieve universal primary education
  • Promote gender equality and empower women
  • Reduce child mortality
  • Improve maternal health
  • Ensure environmental sustainability
  • Develop global partnership for development
Mission statement:
Year established (YYYY): 1993
Year of registration (YYYY): 1993
Organizational structure: Nonprofit public benefit corporation, also called "nonprofit corporation"
Number and type of members: Seven members on the Board of Directors. Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer CEO, COO, President, Controller
Affiliation with NGO networks: InterAction, BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Funding structure:
  • Donations and grants from domestic sources

Additional Information

Sustainable Development

Involvement in UN Partnerships: Yes
If yes, explain in detail: -IR USA participated with UNRWA in Gaza in 2009 -IR USA worked with the UN during the Indonesia tsunami in 2004 -Between 2006-2007, IRUSA worked with the WFP in Chechnya -IRUSA worked with UNICEF in Sudan -IR USA is currently working with the WFP in a school feeding program in Jordan
Affiliation with other organizations: InterAction, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Humanitarian Department), Women's Faith and Development Alliance, Alliance to End Hunger, Society for International Development, Women's Foreign Policy Group,Religions for Peace, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Friends of the World Food Program, Catholic Relief Services- USCCB, Episcopal Relief Development, HIAS Inc
Publications: Partnership magazine produced annually
Statements or documents submitted
Commission on Sustainable Development:
N/A

Social Development

Affiliation with other organizations: InterAction, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Humanitarian Department), Women's Faith and Development Alliance, Alliance to End Hunger, Society for International Development, Women's Foreign Policy Group, Religions for Peace, United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Friends of the World Food Program, Catholic Relief Services- USCCB, Episcopal Relief & Development, HIAS Inc
Publications: magazine produced quarterly A Smile is Charity; children's activity booklet produced seasonally
Statements or documents submitted
to the Commission on Social Development:
N/A
Statements or documents submitted
to the UN Forum on Indigenous Issues:
N/A
Purpose of the organization: Purposes and programs of the organization and those for which funds are solicited: a. Emergency and relief projects: To provide food, water,Shelter, hygiene kits, medical treatments,cash vouchers and other essential services to the victims of disasters and whoever needs it anywhere in the world. b. Education and training projects: To provide education and training wherever it is needed, with special emphasis on children and youth. c. Income generation projects: To increase sources of fixed and diversified income for poor families; to restore and promote the local economy and to support families to increase opportunities for success and continuous production. d. Health and nutrition projects: To provide essential healthcare and medicine to poor communities and integrated health programs aimed at caring for children traumatized and injured by armed conflict and crisis; to help people in adapting to their social surroundings ; to offer medical aid and nutritional services for mothers and children in areas that lack adequate health services. e. Orphans projects:To provide education, health care and training to orphans in order to improve their living standards. f. Udhiya/Qurbani projects: To distribute donated fresh or canned meat to the needy during Muslim holy festivals. g. Development projects: To develop communities by building community centers and training centers for vocational training, and by developing the skills and abilities of the different communities, both locally and abroad. h. Zakat and; Sadaqa projects: To provide basic aid including food, rent, clothing, and medical supplies to the poor. I. Ramadan project: To distribute food packs or food vouchers to the needy during the month of Ramadan. J. Winterization project: To distribute non-food items to help the needy cope with the harsh winters.
Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: IRUSA operated in over 33 countries in 2021: Including: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chechnya (Russian Federation), Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza/West Bank), Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Yemen. Orphans 1-to-1 Sponsorship 2021: Islamic Relief's One-to-One Orphan Sponsorship helps the world's most desperate orphans. The beneficiaries live in the world's poorest and most devastated countries, where millions of children are orphaned and left to struggle for survival. Our sponsors' contributions are sent directly to an orphan's guardian, where Islamic Relief's One-to-One Orphan Sponsorship allows children to remain with a loving family member who may not have been able to care for them otherwise. In 2021,$12,956,469 was distributed by Islamic Relief USA to support 27,050 orphans in 25 countries.Ramadan “Feed the Needy” Program 2021: During the month of fasting, known as Ramadan, Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. Feeding people at the end of the fasting day represents a very rewarding spiritual act according to Islamic tradition and teachings. The Ramadan “Feed the Needy” Program offers an opportunity for many needy people around the world who face food insecurity and hunger to be provided with a ‘Ramadan Food Pack’, which ensures that their burden is eased during the month of Ramadan. A wide range of beneficiaries were selected, they included categories like widows, orphans, destitute, aged, disabled, refugees and people affected by disasters. The beneficiaries are selected in conjunction with local welfare groups working alongside Islamic Relief Worldwide offices in a given country. IRW purchases the Ramadan Food Packs and implements distribution on behalf of Islamic Relief USA. In 2021, 64,792 food packs for 343,115 beneficiaries in 29 countries were sponsored by Islamic Relief USA at a cost of $3,047,112 in: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Chechnya (RF), Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malawi, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal,Niger, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, Somalia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Tunisia, and Yemen Qurbani “Meat Distribution” Program 2021: International grants are donated by Islamic Relief USA to Islamic Relief Worldwide for their annual Qurbani “meat distribution” program. These food distribution activities are performed during the season of Eid al Adha. Donations are used to purchase and slaughter livestock – mainly sheep, goats and cows. The meat from these animals is then distributed to the needy people in the poorest regions of the world on behalf of the donors. According to Islam, one sheep or goat equals one Qurbani; one cow, buffalo or camel equals seven Qurbanis. Qurbani meat is distributed in three different methods, the method chosen for a country is dependent on several factors including cost, availability of livestock, logistical issues and current situation of that country e.g. war, famine, natural disaster. This year again a wide range of beneficiaries were selected, they included categories like widows, orphans, the destitute, the aged, the disabled, refugees and disaster affected populations. The beneficiaries are selected in conjunction with local welfare groups working alongside Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) field offices in a given country. IRW purchases and implements the Qurbani distribution on behalf of Islamic Relief USA. In 2021, Islamic Relief USA donated $6,541,923.94 worth of meat to feed 283,289 beneficiaries in 28 countries.
Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: International Programs Summary: In 2021, Islamic Relief USA distributed $73,242,690 in funds for different international grants in over 33 countries.International grants were given to: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chechnya (RF), Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malawi, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Nepal, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza/West Bank), Somalia, South Sudan, Turkey, and Sudan. Orphans are supported in the previous countries plusIraq, Jordan, South Africa, Sri Lanka,, and Yemen. Finally, Qurbani supports the previous countries. International Programs: Islamic Relief USA has three annually recurring international programs: the “One-to-One Orphans Sponsorship” program, a Ramadan “Feed the Needy” program, and a “Qurbani” meat distribution program Orphans 1-to-1 Sponsorship 2009: Islamic Relief's One-to-One Orphan Sponsorship helps the world's most desperate orphans. The beneficiaries live in the world's poorest and most devastated countries, where millions of children are orphaned and left to struggle for survival. 100 percent of our sponsors' contributions are sent directly to an orphan's guardian, where Islamic Relief's One-to-One Orphan Sponsorship allows children to remain with a loving family member who may not have been able to care for them otherwise. DOMESTIC PROGRAMS SUMMARY: In 2009, Islamic Relief USA distributed $308,600 for 15 domestic grants in 10 states and conducted a nationally-coordinated “Day of Dignity” program in 19 cities across 15 states on 10 weekends to over 16,050 beneficiaries. IRUSA operated in 20 states in 2009, specifically MD, VA, CA, NJ, MI, MN, PA, NV, IN, AZ, SD, IL, TX, DC, GA, MA, OR, NY, WA, and NV. “DAY OF DIGNITY” PROGRAM: Islamic Relief USA provides beneficiaries with food (on-site meals), canned goods (select locations), clothing (t-shirts, hats, socks, undergarments), school supplies (backpacks, pencils, books), toys, blankets, sheets, towels, medical care (oral cancer screenings, glaucoma screenings, AIDA tests, blood pressure readings), physical exams, dental care, first aid, wound checks, haircuts, job training (select locations), and other social services to all who attend, regardless of their backgrounds. In 2009, Islamic Relief USA provided 16,050 people in 19 cities across 15 states with human health and welfare aid.
A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: Hamadi Bengabsia, Chairman of the IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Hamdy Radwan, PhD. Vice Chairman of the IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Ahmed Azam, PhD. IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Hussein Ata. IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Ihab M. Hamadi Saad, PhD. IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Khaled Lamada, PhD. IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States. Gregory Mitchell. IRUSA Board of Directors. Nationality: United States
Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: N/A