Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief USA’s has three annually reoccurring international programs: the “One-to-One Orphans Sponsorship” program, a Ramadan “Feed the Needy” program, and a “Qurbani” meat distribution program.   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.       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; unless mentioned differently, average family size is five.     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. Muslims from the United States donate money which is 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 field offices in a given country.

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, AIDS 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.     15 domestic grants were distributed in 2009 in 10 different states worth $308,600.