1/2/2025
As 2025 begins, we reflect on the previous year, 2024, which was marked by immense challenges and deep humanitarian crises across the globe, particularly in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. From the devastating conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen, to the enduring struggles faced by refugees and vulnerable communities in Syria, Jordan, Ethiopia, and beyond, the scale of suffering has been profound. Yet, amidst the hardship, your unwavering support has enabled us to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.
In 2024, our orphan sponsorship initiative “Rofaqa” reached a milestone of providing life-changing support to 200,000 children globally. These children now have access to education, healthcare, and opportunities that restore their hope for a brighter future. This achievement is a testament to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our teams working tirelessly on the ground.
The conflict in Gaza and Lebanon this year brought unimaginable devastation. With two-thirds of Gaza’s territory reduced to rubble and 60% of the lands damaged in border communities in Lebanon, our teams delivered essential aid, including food, medical supplies, and psychosocial support, to tens of thousands of affected individuals. In Syria, we provided life-saving assistance to displaced families, ensuring they had access to shelter, clean water, and medical care. In Northwest Syria where millions remain displaced, we continued to build the resilience of communities through our wheat value chain project with funding from UN OCHA, to ensure that local communities are self-reliant. For Syrian refugees in Jordan, Türkiye, and Lebanon, we continued to deliver hope through tailored programs addressing their unique needs.
Our flagship annual winter campaign spanned 24 countries, ensuring that vulnerable families had access to warm clothing, blankets, and heating supplies. These countries included Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Albania, Pakistan, Bangladesh (Rohingya refugees), Türkiye, Niger, Chad, Tunisia, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ghana, Kashmir, and Mali. In Yemen, we reached communities suffering from protracted conflict and famine, delivering life-saving food and medical aid. In Sudan, despite the volatile environment, we persevered to provide relief to those caught in the crossfire. We also launched unprecedented appeals to support flood victims in Yemen, Sudan, Mali, and Niger, offering immediate relief and long-term recovery solutions to those affected by climate-induced disasters. In Somalia, we advanced educational initiatives to empower the next generation, while in Somaliland, we made significant strides in promoting access to quality healthcare.
The challenges posed by climate change have further exacerbated the difficulties faced by vulnerable populations. In response, we have intensified our efforts to mitigate its impacts through innovative programs and rapid-response appeals, ensuring that affected communities receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.
However, the challenges we face are immense. Access to humanitarian aid remains constrained in many regions, with shrinking operational space for NGOs and the increasing politicization of aid complicating our efforts. A stark example of this is the growing attack on the existence of UNRWA, an organization that has served as a backbone for Palestinian refugees for decades. Such actions not only undermine critical support systems but also threaten the fundamental rights and dignity of millions who rely on these services. Additionally, as humanitarian needs grow exponentially, we face a daunting year ahead in 2025, marked by shrinking funding as major donors scale back their contributions. This reduction in resources risks undermining life-saving programs at a time when crises are intensifying globally, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and collective action to sustain vital humanitarian efforts. It is now time to harness the potential of all advancements, including artificial intelligence, to transform the global humanitarian system. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we can enhance the efficiency, reach, and impact of our interventions, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most in a timely and effective manner.
Despite these obstacles, our commitment to those in need remains steadfast. None of this would have been possible without the enduring generosity and trust of our donors and partners. Your support fuels our mission and enables us to stand with communities in their most desperate moments.
As we move into 2025, the situation in Gaza remains uncertain, with the ongoing crisis continuing to demand our urgent attention. In Syria, the humanitarian needs are expected to escalate further, as the current conditions place immense pressure on already strained resources, especially in the face of continued sanctions which will undoubtedly affect access to humanitarian funding, if not lifted. We are committed to meeting these challenges head-on and to adapting our responses to the evolving needs of these communities.
We take this opportunity to extend our profound gratitude to our partners. From United Nations agencies such as OCHA’s CERF—to which we contributed $10 million in 2024—to our international NGO collaborators and, most critically, local actors and NGOs, your partnership has been pivotal in enabling us to achieve our mission. We are proud to allocate 30% of our funding directly to local NGOs, surpassing the target established by the Grand Bargain in 2016. Beyond financial support, we remain dedicated to empowering local organizations through capacity-strengthening initiatives that enhance their ability to respond effectively. Furthermore, we have taken significant strides in improving accountability to affected populations, working closely with the CHS Alliance to bolster our accountability systems and ensure our interventions are both effective and responsive to the needs of those we serve.
As we embark on 2025, we remain resolute in addressing these challenges and building on our achievements. Our organization will continue to stay firmly rooted in its faith-based values, which inspire and guide our mission of compassion, justice, and service to humanity. These values remain the foundation of our commitment to those in need, driving our efforts to uphold dignity, provide relief, and foster resilience in the face of adversity. Together, we can continue to bring hope and relief to those who need it most. Thank you for your solidarity as we tread this challenging but necessary path, bringing hope to millions across the world. May 2025 bring peace, justice, and dignity to all.
Warm regards,
Yousef Al-Kuwari