Where We Work Muslim Hands works in over fifty countries worldwide. The Well Foundation works closely with Muslim Hands on a number of Projects. 

Together with local partners and country offices, we're working in the world's poorest countries to tackle the root causes of poverty and respond in emergencies, disasters and conflicts.

If you want to support a project, Well Foundation in partnership with Muslim Hands can support a number of projects from Water Wells to Orphans, attached is the countries we work in or will be working in.

please contact Fahim.baqir@wellfoundation.org.uk

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries. A staggering 35 million people, out of a population of approximately 82 million are living in severe poverty.

According to an early 2010 report, 5.2 million people in Ethiopia face a precarious food security situation, i.e. people are either suffering hunger or likely to face hunger.

Dry climate and persistent drought have made life much harder for 80% of Ethiopians who rely on agriculture as their main source of food and income.

MH is working through partners Well Foundation in Ethiopia on community water programmes and livelihoods projects such as poultry farming.

Seasonal programmes include food aid programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service. Orphan sponsorships programmes are run throughout the year.

Gambia

With almost 60% of the population living on less than a dollar (USD) per day, Gambia is classified as one of the least developed countries in the world. Most of the poor are rural families who grow food for home consumption and sell any surpluses, usually at disappointing prices.

Malaria is a major cause of illness and death in Africa, and Gambia is no exception. Despite improvements in recent years, malaria remains one of the largest killers in Gambia.

Muslim Hands & Well Foundation has been working in Gambia since formation in 1993. MH Gambia has implemented a large array of projects from medical projects such as malaria prevention and cataract removals to livelihoods projects such as the Fisherwomen's Cooperative and the more traditional vocational training centres.

Muslim Hands & Well Foundation projects in Gambia Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal - Iftar Seasonal - Qurbani

Guinea-Bissau

Once hailed as a potential model for African development, Guinea-Bissau is now one of the poorest countries in the world. Years of political and economic instability have left Guinea-Bissau impoverished.

Diseases such as malaria and cholera are a major cause of illness and death in Africa, and Guinea-Bissau is no exception. Despite improvements in recent years the spread of disease and endemic malnutrition remain the largest killers in Guinea-Bissau making the level of health care in the country the lowest in West Africa.

In 2006 a cholera outbreak killed over 500 people mostly women and children. A Muslim Hands team from Gambia was immediately on hand providing emergency relief to the local people.

MH seasonal programmes within the region include food aid programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service. Orphan sponsorship programmes are run throughout the year.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinGuinea‐Bissau Health Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar

Kenya

Despite some positive economic developments, around 9 million Kenyans live in poverty, earning less than 1 USD per day.

In 2005, the UN ranked Kenya as 154th out of a list of 177 countries, in terms of life expectancy, literacy levels and overall gross domestic product. Just three years earlier, the country had ranked 134th.

Based in neighbouring Tanzania, MH & WF undertakes seasonal programmes such as food distribution programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service.

In recent years, we have been focusing more on livelihoods projects such as poultry farming, farming tools and seed distribution and sponsorship of orphans and students - long term projects that help empower people to help themselves.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinKenya Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Malawi

With over 65% of the population living below the poverty line, and almost 80% of the Malawian workforce involved in subsistence farming - Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world.

With very low literacy rates, poor access to water and widespread malnutrition, the poverty in Malawi is deep-rooted and severe.

Muslim Hands has been working in Malawi since 2006, and is currently constructing a School of Excellence not only to provide top-quality education, but also act as a beacon of encouragement for other schools to raise standards and achievement.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinMalawi Education Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Mali

Poverty is widespread in Mali. This ancient, landlocked country that was once the centre of the great Mali empire is now among the poorest countries in the world.

With 65% of its land desert or semi-desert and a population dependant on agriculture for food and exports (around 47% of GDP), Mali is prone to hunger and economic hardship.

In recent years Muslim Hands has been working on livelihoods projects amongst rural communities, such as fish farming and the digging of deep water wells for dry season farming.

MH Mali also runs a high standard primary school and orphan sponsorship scheme.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinMali Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Mauritania

Mauritania is a largely desert country slowly emerging as one of Africa's newest oil producers. But, with few other natural resouces, severe famines and poor sanitation Mauritania remains as one of the world's poorest countries.

A dry climate and severe drought has made life much harder for ordinary families who rely on agriculture as their main source of food and income. Extreme poverty alongside devastating famines has meant malnutrition and cholera remain the largest killers in Mauritania.

Muslim Hands is working in Mauritania on community water programmes to provide safe and clean water.

Seasonal programmes include food aid programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service. The orphan sponsorship programme runs throughout the year.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinMauritania Education Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Niger

According to the UN Human Development Index, Niger was the poorest country in 2005 and third poorest in 2010.

Niger's poverty and widespread hunger hit the world news in 2005 with the terrible food crisis that affected millions of people. Although the crisis was blamed on the drought followed by a locust's invasion, hunger in Niger goes on year by year.

Underlying causes are the removal of regulations on the grain market, and high inflation, which leads to grain being exported when the harvest is bad.

Muslim Hands has been working through our partners in Niger since 2005. Focused on enhancing the social development of the Nigerian people and helping to eradicate poverty we've implemented a wide array of projects in the region. From health projects focused on malaria prevention to livelihoods projects such as poultry farming, farming tools and seed distribution to education and successful water sanitation projects.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinNiger Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Senegal

Senegal is upheld as one of West Africa's more stable democracies but poverty is widespread and unemployment is high. Dry climate has led to persistent droughts with devastating effects on agricultural resources, water supplies and famine.

Erratic weather and years of a long running low level sepratist war has claimed hundreds of lives leaving ordinary Senegalese feeling especially vulnerable.

Muslim Hands has been working in Senegal since 1997 and undertakes seasonal programmes such as food distribution in Ramadan and qurbani service.

Recently, we have focused more on livelihoods programmes such as poultry farming, bee keeping and sponsorship of orphans, students and the elderly - projects focused on empowering people to support themselves.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinSenegal Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Somalia

Suffering from two decades of war and conflict, Somalia is a disintegrated country. Lying on the horn of Africa, Somalia shares the same dry climate as Ethiopia and bordering countries on the North African Region.

Persistent droughts alongside a lack of effective government and security has meant further suffering for an already impoverished nation, with devastating effects on agricultural resources, water supplies and livestock.

In 2011, East Africa suffered its worst drought in 60 years. The resulting famine led to over 1.5 million Somalis becoming internally displaced and half a million living as refugees in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.

Muslim Hands is one of the first aid agencies already working on the ground in Somalia. Our work in the region has not only been limited to providing emeregency relief by way of food, medicine and water. But also repatriation and water projects.

Over 120,000 people in and around central Somalia have recieved safe clean water, whilst 20 tube wells and six shallow have benefitted large displaced communities.

More recently, we have focused on medical healthcare providing women, children and families with healtcare advice and medication.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinSomalia Education Health Livelihoods Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Sudan

Sudan has suffered constant conflict since its independence 50 years ago. Decades of war has eroded the economy and infrastructure resulting in almost 17 million Sudanese living a life of poverty.

Since 2003 Muslim Hands through its field offices in Khartoum and Darfur has been implementing short and long term programmes.

Assistance to the poor and needy has been in the form of food sufficiency, basic health clinics for infants and expectant mothers and cataract correction surgeries.

In order to improve educational provision, Muslim Hands has established a series of temporary schools for desert communities and a modern purpose built school for orphans has been constructed.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinSudan Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Tanzania

Tanzania remains as one of the poorest countries in the world, with many of its people living below the World Bank poverty line. The United Nation Development Programme's (UNDP) human dvelopement index (HDI) listings, which arranges coutries according to their level of human development, ranks Tanzania 156th out of a total of 174 nations.

58% of the population lives on less the a $1 dollar a day. The poverty level in rural areas is far worse, where 85% of the farmers are using inadequate and antiquated hand tools.

Deep rooted poverty, malnutrition and mounting inflation has meant ordinary Tanzanians are having an increasingly difficult time purchasing basic essentials.

Muslim Hands & Well Foundation are working in Tanzania on livelihoods projects such as providing agricultural aid. Seasonal programmes include food aid programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinTanzania Livelihoods Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Afghanistan

Decades of war and instability have left the Afghan economy and infrastructure in ruins. Overshadowed by the politics of the region, the plight of millions of Afghans refugees and impoverished communities within Afghanistan has been forgotten by many.

MH has been working in Afghanistan and with Afghan refugees in Pakistan since 1993. Despite the wars and other security risks, MH Kabul and MH Peshawar have continued to run a large array of projects from supporting hospitals in Jalalabad to tree plantation schemes around Kabul.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinAfghanistan Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Bangladesh

With a population of over 164 million people, Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries, with almost half of its population living on under one dollar day.

Despite the large improvements to the health and education sector, life for ordinary Bengalis living in rural areas remains difficult. And, poverty remains widespread.

Furthermore, due to its unique geographic location along the Tropic of Cancer, Bangladesh suffers from devastating tropical cyclones frequently.

Since formation in 1993, MH has been active in Bangladesh. Based in Sylhet and Dhaka, MH Bangladesh runs a large number of diverse projects from livelihoods schemes targeting landless labourers to the more familiar projects such as home construction, digging wells and running primary schools for orphans and needy children.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinBangladesh Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

China

China has been the most rapidly growing economy in the world over the past 25 years. There has been an extraordinary increase in real living standards and an equally impressive decline in poverty. Despite this, over 128 million people in the rural areas are still living in poverty.

The MH China office opened in 2003 in the city of Lin Xia. This area of North-western China is still one of the most under-developed and impoverished areas of China. Seemingly, much of the population here has been bypassed by the economic transformation taking place across urban China.

Cataract removal, cleft lip and palate correction surgery were the first two projects initiated. They were followed soon after with livelihoods schemes such as poultry farming and orphan sponsorships.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinChina Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Qurbani

India

Since the early 1990's the country's economic growth has progressed at a very rapid pace. In the last decade India became the nation with the second highest number of dollar billionaires in the world and some estimates suggest India adds 40 million people to its middle classes every year.

Yet as of 2010, more than 37% of India's population of 1.35 billion still lives below the poverty line - that's almost 500 million people.

Muslim Hands has been working with partners in India since 1994. MH runs projects in Assam in the east; Gujarat in the west and also in Indian-administered Kashmir in the north.

In Delhi, which has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, in 2007 MH combined AIDS screening and AIDS awareness programmes, with livelihoods schemes.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinIndia Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans

Indonesia

MH began working in Indonesia in response to the devastating tsunami of December 2004. After the initial push for emergency aid, Muslim Hands began working with tsunami affected families, by building homes and providing fishing boats to coastal communities who rely on fishing. We have recently constructed a large primary school with residential facilities.

Indonesia is classed a developing middle income country, with over a quarter of its population, around 35 million people living in poverty.

Currently Muslim Hands works in Medan, Nice and the Sumatra region, with a variety of projects including sheep and fish farming, mother and toddler care and orphan sponsorship.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinIndonesia Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar

Kashmir (India)

Since the independence of India and Pakistan from the British in 1947, Kashmir has been hotly contested by both countries. Pakistan and India have fought two wars over the issue of Kashmir.

For a number of years Muslim Hands has been supporting partner organisations in an attempt to reducing poverty in the valley of Kashmir. Typical assistance has been in providing winter fuel, food, livelihoods and livestock programmes. Orphan sponsorship, mother and child health and safe drinking water have been the main features of our work.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinKashmir(India) Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar

Kashmir (Pakistan)

Since the independence of India and Pakistan from the British in 1947, Kashmir has been hotly contested by both countries. Pakistan and India have fought two wars over the issue of Kashmir. Pakistan-administered Kashmir has a population of 10 million and a literacy rate of 27%. Kashmiris rely mainly on agricultural and associated industries.

For a number of years Muslim Hands has been supporting partner organisations in an attempt to reducing poverty in the valley of Kashmir. Typical assistance has been in providing winter fuel, food, income generation and livestock programmes. Orphan sponsorship, mother and child health and safe drinking water have been the main features of our work.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinKashmir(Pakistan) Environment Health Livelihoods Seasonal–Iftar

Myanmar (Burma)

MH began working in Myanmar with partner organisations in 2008, in response to the devastating Cyclone Nargis - the worst natural disaster to have ever hit the country. After the initial push for emergency aid, MH began working with the affected Burmese families, by building strong homes and providing water wells and sanitation for drinking and farming.

With a population of 56 million Myanmar is one of the poorest nations in South East Asia suffering from decades of stagnation, mismanagement and isolation. With very low literacy rates, poor infrastructure and a lack of resources poverty amongst the Burmese remains widespread.

MH continues to work in Myanmar with a variety of projects including food distribution, home construction, digging wells and sponsoring orphans.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinMyanmar(Burma) Education Livelihoods Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Nepal

About 80% of Nepal's population lives in rural areas and depends solely on subsistence farming for their livelihoods. Lack of food security and poor nutrition disproportionately affects socially excluded groups: lower castes, landless labourers, small land-holders and women.

Poor families are forced to send children to work rather than school, thereby perpetuating the poverty-cycle.

Muslim Hands has been working in Nepal since 2007 and runs a large array of projects from tree plantation to disability care.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinNepal Education Environment Health Livelihoods

Pakistan

Already a poor nation, Pakistan recently suffered from severe earthquakes, floods and internal conflict which eroded the economic growth creating extreme poverty where more than 110 million people now live under $2 a day.

Muslim Hands has been working in Pakistan since 1993 providing essential humanitarian assistance during floods, droughts and other disasters.

As a result of the floods in 2010, over 600 two bedroom permanent homes have been completed. There are nearly 60 formal schools and over 250 single classroom schools throughout Pakistan.

Other programmes run by Muslim Hands & Well Foundation are vocational training centres, disability rehabilitation centres, medical clinics, ambulances and safe water programmes.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinPakistan Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Sri Lanka

A quarter of a century of civil war followed by a devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, left Sri Lanka in a state of turmoil. Housing, tourism and infrastructure in general were almost completely destroyed along the eastern coast.

Once regarded as a middle income nation, Sri Lanka was overwhelmed by the mass scale of the disaster.

Since 2004, Muslim Hands has played a much needed role amongst needy communities in Sri Lanka by providing vital food supplies, water and sanitation, and orphans care through the establishing of schools.

We are also involved in a variety of livelihoods generating initiatives.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinSriLanka Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Haiti

Haiti has been the victim of a series of natural disasters including colossal hurricanes and storms which left over 800 dead in 2008. Decades of poverty, environmental degradation, violence and instabiltity has left it as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

But few could have predicted the scale of destruction caused by the catastrophic earthquake which hit the Caribbian nation of Haiti in 2010 leaving hundreds of thousands dead. Thousands were awaiting emergency aid and many survivors were buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Muslim Hands has a long track record of responding swiflty to natural disasters, and specifically earthquake regions. Haiti was no different, MH teams were amongst the first to reach Port-au-Prince in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake providing emergency relief, medicine, food and water supplies.

MH continues to support the development of the Haitian people. Alongside our water programmes, MH has established a school of excellence providing top-quality education to the Haitian children.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinHaiti Education Health Water

Albania

During the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, nearly 500,000 ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo spilled over the border, imposing a huge burden on Albania's already fragile economy.

MH Albania played a critical role in coordinating and delivering medical aid across the country and providing water and sanitation facilities to the largest refugee camp in Tirana.

Alongside seasonal programmes such as food distribution and qurbani, MH Albania runs a long-standing orphan sponsorship programme and primary education.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinAlbania Education Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani

Azerbaijan

Since independence in 1991, oil and gas wealth has dramatically reduced poverty in Azerbaijan. Between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of population living below the poverty line has dropped from 60% in 2000 to 24% in 2009. However, rural poverty remains disproportionately high at around 42%.

Working with partners in Azerbaijan, Muslim Hands runs seasonal programmes such as food distribution programmes and qurbani, alongside longer-term programmes like orphan sponsorships.

MuslimHandsprojectsinAzerbaijan Education Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal–Qurbani

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Muslim Hands was first established during the crisis in Bosnia in 1993. Prompted by the horrific war, a community in Nottingham began sending aid convoys to those suffering in the conflict.

Of course, since then we have responded to countless more emergencies and greatly diversified the types of aid carried out around the globe in approximately 50 countries.

Now working with partners in Bosnia, MH runs seasonal programmes such as food distribution programmes in the month of Ramadan and the qurbani service.

MuslimHandsprojectsinBosniaandHerzegovina Education Livelihoods Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal–Qurbani

Kosova

The vast majority of the 10,000 people killed in Kosovo (Kosova) during the 1996 war with Serbia, were men of working age - instantly, this created thousands of widows and many more orphans. The MH Orphan Sponsorship scheme was launched in Kosovo (and Albania) in 1997.

During and immediately after the war, MH provided food aid, and medical care - including a fleet of 12 ambulances, rebuilding of hospitals, psychosocial support programmes for children and a national level pharmaceutical sorting depot.

MH Kosova runs seasonal programmes such as food distribution programmes and qurbani.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinKosova Health Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal–Qurbani

Iraq

The UN sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990, followed by two wars, occupation and civil unrest on has left over 100,000 Iraqis dead and severely reduced living standards of the entire population. Over 10 million Iraqis now live in absolute poverty and a further 2 million are internally displaced.

Muslim Hands has been working with partners in Iraq since 1994, and opened offices in Baghdad 2003 after the invasion.

Emergency aid programmes such as food distribution - including food convoys from the UK - continued alongside the rebuilding of schools and livelihoods schemes. MH has undertaken a large variety of projects in Iraq.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinIraq Education Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurban

Lebanon

MH began working through partners in Lebanon in 1995. Although the most well known humanitarian need lies with the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees living in cramped, squalid camps in southern Lebanon, MH has also been working with destitute widows and orphans in general.

Lebanon's history is littered with wars and conflict. MH has been active in delivering aid during the five war-conflicts that have hit Lebanon since 1993.

Orphan sponsorship, medical care and livelihoods projects, such as the Widows Honey Cooperative, are the longer term projects MH has undertaken.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinLebanon Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal–Qurbani

Palestine

The Palestinian issue and the consequent Middle East conflict, has been raging for over 50 years now. The vastly overcrowded Gaza Strip, often known as the 'largest open prison in the world' is home to over 1.5 million Palestinians. It is completely separated from the West Bank, which is home to another 2.5 million Palestinians.

Despite the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians being well documented and widely reported, and responded to by various NGO's, an estimated 60-80% of the Palestinians are lacking food supplies.

In its report, UNRWA says, "the number of households in Gaza below the consumption poverty line continues to grow, reaching 51.8 percent in 2007."

Muslim Hands work in Palestine has been focused on regular food distribution, provision of medicine and medical equipment and providing access to safe clean water.

Other longer term support is provided through a large orphan sponsorship programme reaching hundreds of families and olive tree plantation programme for food and livelihoods.

MuslimHands&WellFoundationprojectsinPalestine Education Environment Health Livelihoods Orphans Seasonal‐Iftar Seasonal‐Qurbani Water

Projects:

Education: An Essential Doorway Out of Poverty There are few things you can give as priceless as the gift of education 

AyoungboyataMuslimHandsschoolwaitsforthebeginningofclass

Education is one of the most precious gifts we can give. In today's world, it is more important than ever to ensure children have access to a good quality education.

At school, students not only bring their minds and imaginations to life, but also empower themselves for an independent future full of opportunities.

Education is a release and an opening. It releases an individual from the cycle of poverty, and dependence, opening up a world of empowerment for the future.

We take many different approaches to education, providing schooling which is appropriate, relevant and most valuable for a student's long term needs.

In numbers: MH on education 

Since 1993:

40,000childreneducated 1,000teachersemployed 15countrieswithschools 362schools 900classroomsbrimmingwithlife 1unwaveringcommitment

Education from every angle 

Education can mean different things for different communities and so we provide access to education from a number of different angles. Read on to see how we tailor our schools and classes according to the specific and local needs of our students.

There are many obstacles children and adults alike have to overcome in order to access an education and our projects aim to eliminate every barrier to learning.

One size does not fit all around the world and here are examples of how we try to help every child get the very best from education, insha'Allah.

Model Schools 

Where access to schools may exist, it is common to come across unprofessionally run and extremely under-resourced facilities which cause many children's education to suffer. Model schools run in areas where school conditions may be poor, class sizes too large and facilities limited.

They work to improve and provide better quality education than what is around. Students who attend model schools benefit from having teachers who have been given special teacher training and ongoing professional development.

Primarily serving orphans, Muslim Hands' Model Schools are also attended by a small portion of local fee-paying children who recognise the higher quality of education which students benefit from. These fee-paying students in turn help subsidise some of the cost in providing education for the neediest orphans.

Worldwide education projects 

Across the world, Muslim Hands runs education projects ranging from setting up large school complexes with accommodation for orphan students to braille reading classes for blind adults in Eastern Europe.

Our interactive map showcases the spread and variety of our education work.

Emergency Relief: A Time for Action Emergencies can strike at any time and often leave devastating consequences for decades to come 

In the developing world, the aftermaths of cyclones, earthquakes and other calamities are made much worse because of existing poverty. Without the safety net of insurance, savings and accessible transport, people are left helpless with nothing to fall back on when disaster strikes.

Missing that crucial window of opportunity straight after disaster strikes is simply not an option - for survivors it can make the difference between life and death.

Muslim Hands was first established when the crisis in Bosnia arose in 1993 prompting a community in Nottingham to send aid to those suffering in the conflict. Since then we have responded to countless more emergencies and developed a specialised network of staff and volunteers around the globe to ensure a fast response.

We've been present on the ground for widely publicised disasters such as the Asian Tsunami of 2004, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa Famine of 2006. But we've also been present at crises that never reached our TV screens, including sub-zero winters in Kashmir, cholera outbreaks in Guinea Buissau and acute droughts in Mali and Niger.

What we provide in emergencies  

Muslim Hands recovery efforts include:

Foodsuppliesandmeanstocooktopreventmalnutrition Cleanwaterforthoseaffectedtopreventdisease Vaccinationstopreventthespreadofdisease Emergencyshelterfordisplacedpeople Temporaryschoolstoavoiddisruptingchildren'seducation

The above list doesn't include the long-term reconstruction of homes and schools, provision of medical care to victims and generating livelihoods in badly hit communities, which are all part of the MH emergency response.

Aid that lasts beyond the media spotlight 

Relief action after a disaster strikes varies from place to place, depending on conditions and the needs of those affected.

No two disaster zones are ever the same, with political, economic and social factors complicating each scene. Having permanent field offices has always improved our ability to cater recovery efforts to the long-term welfare of the communities.

Environment: Aid Which Builds, Not Destroys Protecting our earth is a not a fad, it is a divine trust 

AfamilyfromourCerealAidprojectinNiamey,Nigergathertowitnessthefruitsoftheirfirstgreenharvestinyears

We have long been prioritising environmental sustainability in all our projects. Many of the people in the developing world suffer the consequences of our irresponsible and indulgent lifestyle choices.

As we take collective responsibility for living greener, we - as a charity - also realise giving aid includes maintaining our responsibility towards local communities.

This can take many forms. Rather than flooding markets with foreign produce, we purchase food, clothes and other necessities locally. This means there are less air miles, which reduces the carbon footprint but also boosts business for local traders.

Rather than clearing tracts of land for farming, we encourage the planting of orchards to bind the soil and provide people with a natural, long-term income source. Instead of using oil guzzling generators to produce electricity on new builds, such as schools, we use solar energy to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly in rural areas.

Healthcare: The Many Benefits Providing healthcare can often save a life and surprisingly even a community’s future 

Pre‐operationeyechecksatourcataractremovalcampinChina

Good health is a crown that only the sick can see. (Saying attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib r.a.)

Good health is the most powerful tool we have for moving forward with our aspirations. It is much too easy to forget how vital good health is for communities to be able to prosper. Being free from sickness and disease allows children to attend school, learn and grow into educated strong adults.

With medical care, a country's workforce is strengthened as adults are fit, healthy and strong enough to work full and productive days. If the main breadwinner has to stay at home with illness, they are not able to earn to provide for their families. Not only does the family fall into financial hardship, but work is left undone and the economy slows down and suffers.

Poor health holds communities back and, in many cases, causes them to stay trapped in the cycle of poverty.

That is why we believe good health should be treated as one of the biggest priorities for the world's poor. The sad reality, however, is that affordable and effective health care is an elusive hope in many parts of the world.

Even where health services are available, they are often dilapidated and lacking the resources to cater for the community's needs. This means illnesses are prolonged, infections are not contained and many preventable diseases become a cause of long-term illness and often, death.

Muslim Hands run projects to address the most prevalent and widespread diseases. Many of the biggest killers are also those which are easily treated with targeted medical care.

Hunger: The Most Extreme Form of Poverty Even in a world of plenty, hunger continues to cripple lives and threaten futures 

AfarmerinMalienjoinsthefirstharvestfromthepioneeringCerealAidproject

This is no easy cliché. When you do not have food, you have hit rock bottom on the scale of poverty. Hunger is a wide term and has many consequences for communities who do not have access to sufficient food supplies.

Whether it's following a famine, as a result of conflict or a simple lack of resources, Muslim Hands understands the varied approach needed to alleviate the consequences of hunger and tackle its root causes.

Imagine the world really was one village... 

...would we be distressed that our neighbours were starving? The world produces enough food to feed everyone, but 25,000 people are dying each day from hunger.

The world population may have increased by 70% since the 1970s, but the amount of food produced in the world has increased even more! There is actually enough to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,720 kcal per person per day (compare this to the UK, where the recommended calorie intake for men is 2550 kcal per day).

Of those under-nourished who manage to live despite lack of food, 800 million are undernourished. This chronic malnutrition makes life into a seemingly endless misery of ill-health and weakness. Almost a third of all children in developing countries are underweight or have stunted growth. Hungry children find it difficult to learn and are less able to resist illnesses.

When whole communities are starved, people feel ill all the time, they have low energy levels and sometimes are too ill to even work and support their families. Hunger ensures millions of people remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.

The solution out of this state of constant suffering is as simple as it is vital: providing nutritious food for the hungry.

For all these reasons, food distribution has always been a focal part of Muslim Hands' work. We want to help you help those who are desperate for the simple joy of a plateful of hot food and a happy family that is free from the desperation of hunger.

Responses to hunger 

Food is a vital component of living and health. When people cannot access food, hunger expresses itself in many different and often complicated ways. MH responds to these diverse needs by providing short-term emergency relief following a famine or emergency to longer-term food projects which keep communities self-sufficient for generations.

Livelihoods: Giving a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out Providing opportunities for people to work their own way out of poverty 

HoneyproductionkitgiventoLebanesefarmersaspartofMHLivelihoodsscheme

What is in a livelihood? We've all heard the familiar saying:

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.

And, it is in that spirit we run our livelihood projects. The sad reality is many times people in poorer countries have the skills, enthusiasm and support to generate an income for themselves, yet lack the opportunity to put it into practice.

Muslim Hands Livelihood Projects are designed to empower the individual into training and work which will give them an independent, sustainable and long-term income. In this way, livelihoods revolves around providing for communities because when you have a breadwinner in the family, children are able to afford school fees and families can afford medical expenses too.

A livelihood to suit every need 

The nature and scale of the businesses have been as varied as they come, but what they do have in common is that they are all focused upon meeting the needs of the local people, using a beneficiaries expertise and skills base and turning over a reliable and steady income.

Orphan Care Orphan care is at the heart of the work Muslim Hands carries out 

BeamingsmilesallroundasorphanchildreninGambiareceivetheirpresentsforEidulFitr

We believe providing children with security and a high standard of education will help tackle the root causes of poverty and empower generations to come.

Muslim Hands sponsors already support over 10,000 orphans worldwide and together, we are laying the foundations for a brighter future not only for the children, but entire communities.

How do we look after our orphans? 

Children have many different needs from having love, stability and care to hope for a future full with opportunities ahead. We address these many diverse aspects of looking after an orphan child and provide them with holistic care at their most vulnerable time.

This includes- but is not limited to- ensuring the child's security with a family, making sure they receive a high standard of education, monitoring their welfare progress and providing access to medical care should any child fall ill.

Safe Water: The Fight For Drops of Life To prevent illness, to purify and to live  

AyoungPalestinianboytakeshisfirstsipsofwaterasthenewRafahwaterstationopens

It's easy to forget how much we need safe water. This is the essential of life which many are denied access to.

For over a billion people, life's most pressing challenge is gaining easy access to safe, clean drinking water. Poor health due to unclean water and conflict surrounding scarce water sources prevents many from escaping the poverty trap.

No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than the provision of safe drinking water and the proper disposal of human waste. (World Health Organisation)

The link between unsafe water and poverty 

When children and adults have drank contaminated water, illness prevents them from attending school or work.

In fact, at any given time half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease. Having adults too ill to work means a loss of labour and wages and this inevitably damages the economy of desperately poor countries.

Children drinking dirty water results in them staying home to recover, often suffering chronic conditions which means they are not able to complete school or go into the working world.

Approximately 443 million school days are lost in this way each year due to children suffering from water-related illness.

In this way, having only contaminated water to drink damages health, debilitates an economy and ensures the cycle of poverty and dependence continues on.

Water use around the world 

It is often startling to think of the difference in how much water people around the world use.

From the drought-stricken to the plentiful, here is a chart showing the average water use per person per day according to the United Nations Development Program.