#Newsletter
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Thousands Seek Refuge from Syria Floods
Refugee camps battle with winter and flooding Guest contributor Aishah C. 2021 Brings a Call to Action on Behalf of Syrian RefugeesAs we enter into this new year, many of us are relieved that the collectively traumatic events of 2020 are moving into hindsight. Global resources are being pooled to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and the overall outlook for this year seems to be improving. However, there are many people and families for whom 2020 brought additional complications to already devastating circumstances which are long from over. The tragedies that have been faced by the people of Syria throughout the past decade have been incomprehensibly dire, and instead of hopeful…
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Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Health experts weigh-in structural racism’s brutal effects The disproportionate number of people from racial minority groups who’re suffering –and dying–from the coronavirus pandemic is hardly a surprise. In fact, accoriding to one expert, Kameelah Mu’Min Rashad of the Muslim Foundation, the health care disparities experienced by them are linked to systemic racism. “They are always intertwined,” she said. Simply put, it’s a pandemic within a pandemic. That was just one of the revelations expressed during Islamic Relief USA’s webinar “Racism as a Public Health Crisis,” on Jan. 19. Along with Rashad, the 80-minute session featured Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan-based epidemiologist who has frequently appeared on CNN. ‘Cumulative Deprioritization’ More…
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A Partner Tribute to Remember
Healing for Hope Event Warms Hearts Islamic Relief USA held its 4th Annual Partnership event Monday evening, showcasing the organization’s accomplishments in addressing the challenges brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic. Healing was the theme for this year’s event, which was entirely virtual and livestreamed through various social media platforms. While healing from Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is among the biggest challenges facing society, the event speakers — a cross-section of leaders of nonprofit, faith-based, and governmental organizations– said there are many other problems in conjunction with the virus that rise to pandemic levels. They include hunger, racial injustice, lack of health care for millions, and…
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For You, Palestine!
Hearts combine to support the people of Palestine Islamic Relief USA’s National Event team hosted a live online event on the 13th December 2020 to raise awareness and funds for IRUSA’s projects in Palestine. IRUSA’s Sanat Karkat & Said Durrah presented the event titled: For You, Palestine! World-renowned religious leaders, athletes, and talent gathered to support the people of Palestine. The hosts Karkat and Durrah kicked off the show with somber reflections from the past year. As the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world in 2020, attention diverted from Palestine to other urgent causes. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the impact of Palestine’s funding crisis and left already struggling Palestinian refugees vulnerable…
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Serving in a Year of Uncertainty
A look back on humanitarian efforts in 2020 When we take account of all the twist and turns the world took this year it can paint a bleak picture in many of our minds. Billions of people were jolted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 2 million people fatally contracted the virus. It was during these uncertain times the community of supporters of Islamic Relief USA stood tall. Your contributions of time, effort, resources made light shine in the darkness of 2020. As we look back at the challenges of this year we’re reminded that it took massive hearts to pull through. Pushing through a Pandemic Medical aid has been top…
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Ethiopian Refugees Driven into Sudan
Thousands of people in need after fleeing conflict in Ethiopia When torrential rains lashed Sudan in recent months, the Nile River burst its banks. Sudan’s government declared a State of emergency, as the river reached 17.43 meters — the highest level in 100 years. Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes in the middle of the night. The ferocious rains and subsequent floods killed over 100 people, destroyed 175,000 homes, and left almost 900,000 people homeless. The widespread impact wreaked havoc on the local community with families cut off or displaced. Our response The Islamic Relief (IR), team on the ground provided life-saving assistance to 435 families affected…
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Day of Dignity 2020 is a Success
Day of Dignity helps thousands during coronavirus pandemic As one of Islamic Relief USA’s most well-known programs, Day of Dignity took place in several locations this year, despite the present coronavirus pandemic that has altered much of daily life. It was able to hold these events by adapting to public health guidelines, which includes mask wearing, practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet, and slightly altering its set-up by implementing a drive-thru or drive-in format. Between Oct. 3 and Nov. 15, a total of 19 Day of Dignity events took place in 17 cities nationwide. Among them were Baltimore, Md., Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Minn., Rochester, N.Y., Toledo, Ohio, and…
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Bring Warmth this #GivingTuesday
First they faced COVID-19, now freezing cold Winter is Cruel to Those Most Vulnerable Every winter carries the threat of blizzards, major ice storms, extreme cold, flooding, and even tornadoes. But the harsh winter conditions are even more challenging for people already suffering from displacement, conflict, poverty, without warm clothes, food or water. The harsh winter forces vulnerable people to choose between buying food to eat or fuel to keep warm. IRUSA commitment to Winter Aid Therefore, Islamic Relief USA works all year round to build programming. To help vulnerable people living in poverty, conflict or displacement. To better prepare them for the icy winter conditions. Because of Islamic Relief…
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Day of Dignity Begins
IRUSA starts rounding the country for annual Day of Dignity events Autumn means a drastic change of scenery and weather for many communities in America. It also means that we have the opportunity to support families who are hardest hit during this season. A simple drop in temperature can drastically impact the housing situation for millions, and with the rising rates of COVID-19 it can spell disaster. This years Day of Dignity events hold the same feeling of communal support be mean so much given the situation. For decades now we partnered with communities organizations to bring resources, supplies, meals, and non-perishables to the places that need them the most.…
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See you at the polls
Here are 3 steps to make your voting day smoother With more than 40 million people having already cast their votes, this year’s presidential election promises to be exciting. Or stressful, depending on how you approach it. Recent news stories have described the long, multi-hour lines voters are enduring to practice their constitutional right. Turnout for early voting has already shattered records of past election cycles. But millions more are expected to vote, through mail-in ballots or in person on Election Day, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here are some steps to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible: Know where your voting location is? Given the…
