Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) has been in operation for over 30 years. From providing emergency aid in disaster zones to supporting communities with well water, the organization has impacted the lives of countless individuals in many countries. As an independent member of the global Islamic Relief family, IRUSA is one of most influential nonprofits doing this work.
Islamic Relief USA’s vision
The vision of IRUSA is born from the teachings of the Islamic faith wherein every human life is viewed as having equal value. Guided by this strong ideology, the NGO assists individuals who are most in need of its services, no matter their gender, race, or religion. They are there on the front lines to rescue people in crisis and improve the quality of their lives, no matter who they are or what country they are living in. When a crisis happens anywhere in the USA or globally, IRUSA can be found lending essential assistance.
In the beginning
Responding to disasters and offering emergency relief was a large component of the early work of IRUSA. You only have to listen to the news to know that there is no shortage of natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes, and floods happening regularly around the planet. Conflicts in different regions can carry on for a long time and this, too, can have quite a devastating effect on the local population.
There have been many catastrophes that this organization has helped with, alleviating long-term suffering and poverty in the process. For example, just one year after IRUSA was founded, the organization launched its first fundraising campaign to aid victims of the conflict in Chechnya.
By the numbers
One way to measure the positive impact of the Islamic Relief global family is to consider some statistics. Over the course of three decades, Islamic Relief has traveled to 40 countries to open more than 100 offices that served populations dealing with a range of disasters and conflicts. In addition to working in the US, the organization has gone to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and many more parts of the globe.
The rapid growth of Islamic Relief has led to it becoming one of the largest Islamic nonprofits anywhere.
Humanitarian efforts
Motivated by the tenets of the Islamic faith, Islamic Relief USA is driven to build a more fair and equitable global society. This is demonstrated by the campaigns it carries out to bring attention to the impact of gender-based violence, climate change, conflict, and war. In this work, it adheres to the values espoused by Islam: compassion, custodianship, excellence, justice, and sincerity.
As you can see, while disaster relief factors prominently in its operations, IRUSA does a lot more. Through its international partners, it focuses on sustainable development by providing education, food, healthcare, shelter, water, and winter aid to those most in need. To achieve these outcomes, it supports individuals by helping them to find gainful employment, helping orphaned and vulnerable children, and striving to mitigate the impacts of future disasters.
Highlights in IRUSA’s history
The situations where IRUSA has risen to the challenge are too numerous to mention in one article. Having said that, the following examples of where it has made a difference illustrate the important work it does.
1993–1999
- First emergency campaign assists with Chechnya conflict, dinner raises $300,000 in funding
- Relief for Oklahoma City bombing, Iraqi war survivors, Afghanistan earthquake
- Worldwide sponsorship of orphans, support for Kashmir schoolchildren
- First Islamic relief camp for Kosovo refugees
2000–2009
- Built water wells in Africa, established health programs in Afghanistan
- Organized blood drives after 9/11 attacks
- Landmark $6.6 million programming spent worldwide in 2002
- Health care facility rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina
- Aid for famine in Africa, cyclone in Bangladesh, earthquakes in Iran and Pakistan, tsunami in Indonesia, violence in Lebanon, war in Chechnya
- First Children in Need campaign
2010–2019
- Provided aid for victims of flooding in Pakistan, famine in East Africa, tornado in Alabama, typhoon in Philippines, conflict in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen
- Milestone $36.5 million in emergency/development aid in 2012
- Responded to eight emergencies in the US
- Provided long-term aid to Texas after Hurricane Harvey
- Launched Poverty to Profit microfinance loan program
2020–present
- Committed over $5 million to respond to coronavirus global pandemic
- Offered aid to Ethiopian refugees and victims of flooding in Sudan and violence in Palestine
- Started Hot Meals Monday for vulnerable people in the US during the pandemic
- Provided $5 million for famine prevention in eight African countries
- Supplied $10 million for education, health, and livelihood in Afghanistan
- Helped fed 2.2 million people during Ramadan and Qurbani
Advocacy along with humanitarian aid
It’s noteworthy that while IRUSA was expanding its financial and on-the-ground assistance to disaster and sustainability efforts worldwide, it has also been taking its place on the global stage as an advocate for a better tomorrow. In collaboration with like-minded NGOs and international organizations, it has become a voice for women’s empowerment, better housing, accessible health care, and so much more.