KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2022: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched today its Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report 2022, during a virtual event organized jointly with Komite Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah (KNEKS). The event was attended by some of the most influential industry leaders and experts in philanthropy, business, finance, and culture, who took part in discussions highlighting the impact of Islamic social finance on vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the globe.
In 2021, UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund received from partners globally a total of over $23.6 million in Zakat donations and over $11.7 million in Sadaqah donations, including more than $270K as Sadaqah Jariyah. Over 66% of overall donations were Zakat, while the remainder was Sadaqah.
During the past year, UNHCR distributed Zakat in the form of cash assistance to Rohingya refugees in Indonesia and Malaysia, Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt, and Malian refugees in Mauritania, in addition to IDPs in Iraq and Yemen. Non-cash Zakat distribution also included shelter kits for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, core relief items for IDPs in Afghanistan and Nigeria, livelihood resources (essential items such as sewing machines, cattle, etc.) for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and food rations for Rohingya refugees in India.
“This is the time to come together because we have a collective responsibility to support those affected by the global displacement crisis. KNEKS is committed to supporting UNHCR’s efforts to help the millions of vulnerable displaced people around the world, which is in line with Indonesia’s vision of Islamic social finance,” said Mr Ventje Rahardjo, Executive Director, KNEKS.
The total contributions received from partners through UNHCR’s Islamic philanthropy programmes helped provide life-saving assistance to over 1.2 million vulnerable individuals in 2021.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to our partners, both faith-based and financial institutions, whose generosity has enabled us to assist millions of displaced persons. The continued support has been vital in helping UNHCR fulfill its mandate; Zakat contributions and Sadaqah donations are all affirmations of the trust placed in UNHCR to assist those in need.” stated Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Senior Advisor and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
The number of people forced to flee has continued to rise. As of mid-2021, there were approximately 84 million forcibly displaced persons globally, of whom 26.6 million are refugees. The unprecedented scale of the global displacement crisis underscores the urgent need for support and sustainable solutions.
UNHCR’s Islamic Philanthropy programme was launched in 2019, as a trusted, compliant, and effective distributor of Zakat and Sadaqah to transform the lives of the most vulnerable refugees and IDPs,
through partnerships and collaboration with Zakat institutions, foundations and other private and public sector entities. The programme is backed by more than a dozen fatwas and is subject to strict governance, ensuring utmost transparency at every step - from donation to provision of assistance. Since its inception, the programme has assisted more than 4.5 million vulnerable beneficiaries worldwide.
Access the full report here.
