India

Poverty

Despite a developing economy, India has significant social, economic and environmental problems.

India has the largest concentration of the poor in the world, with approximately 75 percent of the population living in rural areas, the majority of whom are illiterate.

An estimated one-third of the Indian population lives below the poverty line, with approximately 80 percent living on less than $2 a day, according to the United Nations 2007/2008 Human Development Report (HDR).

Islamic Relief provides aid to indigent families, widows and orphans, while maintaining sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs.

For example, instead of distributing meat in Ramadan, Islamic Relief distributes vegetarian food parcels to the largely Hindu populations in India that do not eat meat.

Please donate generously to help maintain Islamic Relief’s services in countries with large poverty-stricken populations, like India.

Emergency Relief Projects

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 devastated the region, leaving over 10,000 Indians dead and exacting billions of dollars worth of damage to India’s infrastructure.

Islamic Relief provided 250 Indian families with clothing, utensils, essential grains, and materials to rebuild their huts which were destroyed.

Relief kits were distributed to the affected families, including essentials such as grains, utensils, a stove, clothes, bed sheets, towels, mats, toothpaste and more. In some cases, temporary roofing material was also provided.

Also, Islamic Relief operated income generation projects to allow the affected families to earn their own livelihood so that they can become self-sufficient.

In August 2006, heavy rains caused extensive flooding in the western state of Gujrat.

Islamic Relief rushed to the rescue, setting up recovery camps in Surat district and volunteers ran community kitchens and rescue teams.

An initial $14,000 was allocated to rebuild homes in Surat and an additional $150,000 was pledged for rehabilitation work.

Islamic Relief in India

Islamic Relief has been working in India since 1994, collaborating with local organizations in its relief efforts.

An official Islamic Relief field office was opened in 2008 to service a population whose demand for international aid was growing.

Consistently implementing emergency programs and development projects in the country for over a decade, Islamic Relief provides aid to Indians regardless of gender, race or creed.

Projects include but are not limited to orphan sponsorships, seasonal Ramadan and Udhiyah/Qurbani food distributions and emergency relief.