Islamic Philanthropy Report of the UNHCR
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ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF THE WORLD’S DISPLACED Annual Impact Report - 2021 CONTENTS 2 UNHCR ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY ANNUAL REPORT Foreword 4 Executive Summary 6 Visualizing Refugee Zakat Fund Impact 8 Refugee Zakat Fund Impact 2020 10 4.1 Overview and Developments 10 4.2 Beneficiary Assessment & Zakat Distribution 11 4.3 Our New App: GiveZakat 14 4.4 Key Campaigns 14 4.5 Impact of Zakat and Sadaqah Funds 14 4.6 Impact by Country 18 4.7 Stories of Hope 20 4.8 2020 Compliance Review – Tabah Foundation 23 UNHCR Islamic Philanthropy Ecosystem 25 5.1 Leading By Example: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian Fund 26 5.2 Strategic Stakeholders 29 5.3 Key Partners 29 COVID-19 Impact on Refugees Globally and in the OIC 32 6.1 COVID-19 Impact on Refugees 32 6.2 COVID-19 Impact across OIC Countries Hosting People of Concern 36 6.3 COVID-19: Analysis of Impact on Selected OIC Countries 40 Future Roadmap 46 7.1 Projected Budget Needs 46 7.2 Looking Ahead 47 Report Purpose and Methodology 48 Acknowledgements 49 Endnotes 50 UNHCR ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY ANNUAL REPORT 3 FOREWORD H.E. Prof Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano Secretary-General International Islamic Fiqh Academy Organization of Islamic Cooperation In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent. This report in your hands is UNHCR’s third annual report. It describes the impact of Islamic Praise be to the Lord of all worlds. Prayers and Philanthropy in 2020 on the lives of refugees and peace be upon whom has been sent as a mercy for internally displaced persons (IDPs) during a difficult the worlds, our Master Muhammad, his pure family, year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where forcibly his blessed companions, and those who followed displaced communities have been more heavily them with piety until the Day of Judgement. affected. Moreover, the report clearly presents figures and facts, as well as showing the countries Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh. from where most refugees and IDPs originate and On behalf of the International Islamic Fiqh the regions most affected by the worsening crises Academy and myself, it is my pleasure to write this around the world. With more than 50% of refugees introduction for the launch of UNHCR’s 2021 Islamic and IDPs coming from OIC countries, the Muslim Philanthropy Annual Report, which highlights the community responded with generosity to UNHCR’s leading role of the UNHCR representative offices Refugee Zakat Fund, particularly in the context that are hosted in our Muslim countries. Their of the pandemic and its consequences. However, achievements have been made possible first with needs are still high, and there is much space left the grace of Allah, then thanks to the generous to cover for the expenditures of Zakat-compliant support of the blessed leaders of these countries, activities. We need to acknowledge and praise in addition to the determination of UNHCR’s UNHCR’s use of technical software to receive leadership and staff in turning ideas into reality donations and Sadaqah, with features including and recommendations into actions. Funded by monthly deductions that make it easier for people Zakat and Sadaqah donations, UNHCR has been to donate, as well as Zakat tracking, used until able to support refugees and IDPs worldwide by they reach the beneficiary. This proves UNHCR’s providing cash assistance and distributing goods, commitment to transparency and integrity, which will thus ensuring their well-being and protecting their encourage donors to give more. dignity. Congratulations to UNHCR for this blessed These words come in the context of the joint achievement and the expansion of humanitarian activities between OIC’s General Secretariat and work to a more holistic and comprehensive UNHCR, celebrating this report and observing response for refugees, IDPs, and people in need. their achievements, tools, and programs. It is In conclusion, I must thank the men and women who heartwarming and delightful to see that UNHCR, in donated their Sadaqah and Zakat to UNHCR to be its humanitarian response efforts, has succeeded delivered to beneficiaries. I ask Allah Almighty to in following the foundations of Islamic economics, accept their deeds and reward them abundantly. which entails a complete way of life, realizes comprehensive social development, and is based on noble values, good morals, and social justice. And Allah is the One who grants success. 4 UNHCR ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY ANNUAL REPORT Mr. Khaled Khalifa UNHCR Regional Representative to GCC Countries and Senior Advisor for Islamic Philanthropy, UAE Dear Reader, Refugee Zakat Fund, the entirety of Zakat is received by eligible families in the form of cash, For the fourth year in a row, Islamic Philanthropy or goods when cash distribution isn’t possible or played an increasingly important role in UNHCR’s not as impactful. From two Zakat pilot distribution humanitarian response to global displacement. countries in 2017 and 2018, we are now capable, With more than 50% of the displaced population thanks to the demonstrated trust of key Zakat globally originating from member states of the partners and donors, to distribute Zakat in should Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Islamic be in 10 countries, namely Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Philanthropy tools such as Sadaqah, Sadaqah Yemen, Egypt, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, India, and Jariyah, Zakat, and purification funds have been Bangladesh. crucial in complementing the private funding sources required to meet the growing humanitarian With Zakat funds received through UNHCR’s and developmental needs for refugees, internally Refugee Zakat Fund in 2020, UNHCR has been displaced people (IDPs) and host communities in able to reach over 1.6 million beneficiaries in the MENA, Africa, and Asia. I am proud to present the above-mentioned countries, a 59% increase from third annual report to you, highlighting the role of 2019. I would like to particularly thank Sheikh Thani Islamic Philanthropy and its impact on the most Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian vulnerable persons of concern (POCs) to UNHCR Fund for their tremendous support for the during 2020. second consecutive year, in addition to the OIC’s International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) and the 2020 was especially difficult, not least for refugees Muslim World League’s Islamic Fiqh Council for and IDPs. The COVID-19 pandemic added endorsing the receipt and distribution activities of to the immediate needs of people who were Zakat funds through UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund already struggling with poverty and poor access as a trusted, compliant and effective distribution to healthcare and shelter. Forcibly displaced mechanism maximizing the power of Zakat to people were among those most impacted by the transform the lives of the most vulnerable refugees pandemic’s social, economic, and even political and IDPs. repercussions. In response, UNHCR has stepped up its health, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to In closing, I would also like to highlight the protect displaced people and the communities that importance of digital technology, which enabled host them. UNHCR has worked with governments UNHCR to help displaced people to persevere to ensure that refugees and displaced people during a global pandemic, both through innovative were included in national prevention and response cash distribution mechanisms and online solutions plans. More importantly, UNHCR also scaled up its allowing Zakat donors to consider refugees and cash assistance globally to effectively address the IDPs in their annual obligation. Towards the end economic hardships of vulnerable displaced families of 2020, we launched the UN’s first official Zakat most affected by lockdowns and loss of livelihoods. mobile app, GiveZakat, to complement our Zakat platform zakat.unhcr.org. The app includes several Since 2017, and due to its robust cash assistance features; the most prominent being real-time distribution network, UNHCR has been able to reporting on Zakat funds received online, in addition showcase with full transparency the impact of to a tracking tab allowing users to trace their Zakat Zakat funds on the lives of the most vulnerable donations until they reach beneficiary families. refugee and internally displaced families. Following a 100% Zakat distribution policy, as Sincere appreciation to all our Zakat and Sadaqah per the recommendations of more than 10 fatwas donors, please keep refugees and IDPs in your constituting the Sharia backbone of UNHCR’s thoughts and hearts this Ramadan too. UNHCR ISLAMIC PHILANTHROPY ANNUAL REPORT 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is UNHCR’s third annual report, showcasing the and many people staying at home, UNHCR launched impact of Islamic Philanthropy on the lives of the most new and innovative virtual fundraising programs. This vulnerable refugees and internally displaced persons included partnerships with TikTok and YouTube, followed (IDPs) globally during 2020. Last year was exceptional by a Guinness World Record for «Most Views for an Iftar and challenging, with the wide spread of the COVID-19 Livestream Globally.» pandemic putting an extraordinary strain on refugees, IDPs, and host communities. With more donations taking place online, UNHCR launched the mobile arm of its Refugee Zakat Fund, The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, GiveZakat. The mobile app allows users to calculate from which more than 50% of the world’s refugees Zakat, check reporting information in real-time, and and IDPs come, has faced the brunt of unfolding crises donate both Zakat and Sadaqah funds easily and quickly. worldwide. Yet while the number of people in need has Donors making a Zakat donation through the app can increased due to the socio-economic repercussions track the journey of their donations until it reaches of the pandemic, individuals and institutions have beneficiary families. Donors can also make one-off or responded to the situation with incredible generosity, monthly Sadaqah donations and can check the various including towards UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund.