The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and AlRahma International Charity have signed a grant agreement from Zakat funds to provide cash assistance to over 250 families (1,750 individuals) of displaced persons, returnees, and members of host communities across Afghanistan, to help them meet their basic needs.
The agreement was signed by Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR Representative in Kuwait, and Sheikh Yahya Al-Aqili, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AlRahma International Charity, at the charity’s headquarters in Kuwait.
Rubaian praised the generous contribution from AlRahma International Charity, stating, “According to UNHCR statistics, there are approximately 24 million people in Afghanistan in need of humanitarian assistance. In the face of the collapsing local economy, food insecurity, and successive natural disasters, millions of people are facing immense challenges in accessing basic needs. Through this contribution, we hope to meet the needs of the most vulnerable families through cash assistance.” She added, “We are proud of our renewed humanitarian partnership with AlRahma International Charity, which supports UNHCR’s activities and contributes to extending a helping hand to displaced persons, returnees and host communities wherever they are, especially given the deteriorating humanitarian conditions worldwide and the scarcity of funding.”
For his part, Al-Aqili emphasized the importance of the partnership with UNHCR, saying, “The strategic partnership between global humanitarian and charitable organizations and the United Nations has become one of the most important pillars on which humanitarian and charitable work is based. Charitable organizations can no longer operate in isolation from what is happening in the world. Through these partnerships, we can reach conflict areas amidst the challenges facing humanitarian work.” He added, “It is essential to work jointly and coordinate with various parties to develop the most vulnerable communities, and there is an urgent need to empower charitable organizations by formulating joint programs and initiatives that bring benefits and growth to humanity as a whole.”
The Refugee Zakat Fund, managed by UNHCR, receives Zakat and Sadaqah contributions from partners, including charitable organizations, donor institutions, and others. The fund adheres to a policy of distributing 100% of the Zakat funds received to eligible refugees and internally displaced persons without any deductions, in compliance with Zakat regulations.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with an estimated 23.7 million people in need of assistance in 2024, according to UNHCR’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan. The country is also highly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and natural hazards. UNHCR continues to face a significant funding shortfall, having received only 44% of the required funding so far.
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