Emergency Relief
The world we live in is a world full of inequality. When conflict or natural disasters occur, economically developed countries are usually equipped to cope with and recover from destruction.
Muslim Hands providing aid for emergency relief
In the developing world however, the aftermaths of cyclones, earthquakes and other calamities are made much, 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 with disaster strikes.
..when the crisis in Bosnia in 1993 prompted a community in Nottingham to send aid to those suffering in the conflict. Since then we have responded to countless more emergencies and developed specialised network of staff and volunteers around the globe for fast response.
Muslim Hands has 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 reach our screens, including sub-zero winters in Kashmir, cholera outbreaks in Guinea Buissau and acute droughts in Mali and Niger.
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.YOU HELP US REACH THERE, FAST
An immediate response requires immediate expenditure on the ground - this is only made possible through regular contributions to the emergency relief fund. It means that we can buy aid supplies ahead of time, making disaster relief more prompt and effective.
Even a few pounds each month go a long way in saving lives. Like most charities, MH doesn't hold large reserves and without replenishment these will soon diminish. Only when we know that we have a capacity to make a difference in the area, we launch an emergency appeal.
Immediate Relief: What MH Typically Provide
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. Recovery efforts often include:
- Providing food supplies and clean water for those affected to prevent disease and starvation
- Providing emergency shelter from adverse weather conditions for displaced people
- Distributing essential foodstuffs and the means to cook
- Temporary schools to minimise disruption to children's education and routine
- Setting up sponsorships to care for orphaned children
This 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
Emergencies are a time for immediate action, but they are also a time to act wisely for the future.It's far too easy to rush to the scene of a disaster, spend thousands of pounds on quick-fix solutions and then disappear once a story is no longer covered in the news. Flooding areas with foreign food supplies might seem logical, but has the knock-on disadvantage of depressing prices of local foods, which makes it harder for local traders to survive.
The homeless and destitute are then left to recover their livelihoods in extremely difficult circumstances. Without careful deliberation, aid can easily become damaging in the long-term.
Quite often, humanitarian organisations have to leave an area when their funding runs out. At Muslim Hands, because we depend directly on your generosity which is not time-bound, we can and do stay with communities until they have recovered their homes and livelihoods. Throughout the years, Muslim Hands has not abandoned communities that it has helped during emergencies. Once a strong presence has been established MH will continue to carry out work.
Based on needs and requirements, teams and staff may extend work to other areas where help is needed. It's important for those suffering at a time of disaster to feel secure that help will continue. In Bosnia, MH still sponsors orphans; in Indonesia, MH is still building homes and providing medical care; in Burma, MH are helping victims of the recent cyclone to re-establish their livelihoods. MH continues to work in areas for as long as is required, and those we help understand this.
This means that throughout the globe, not only do we have a long-term presence, but our field staffs have a better idea of what is suitable aid for an area. Without their expertise, droughts in Kenya would go unnoticed, simply because they are not covered in headlines.
Without their expertise, we would never have reached the starving farmers on the Island of Nias after the Tsunami. Without their expertise, rural communities in China, Niger and The Gambia would have never benefitted from your donations when they were desperately in need.
How we work in emergencies
Muslim Hands has developed a reputation for direct field work - we regularly act on behalf of other UK NGOs to deliver aid supplies to areas that we have an existing field office or volunteers. Our staff through the years have developed specialised skills and expertise in disaster relief, having worked in various emergency situations, from natural disasters to man-made conflicts.
Regular FeedbackTypically within a day or two of arriving at the scene of a disaster or emergency, field teams will begin feeding back updates on the work being carried out, their assessment of urgent needs and any problems that have arisen. In our annual feedback report and online, we give full reports of how your emergency donations are spent through the course of emergency appeals.
>>Click here to go our Denan Crisis AppealBuy an emergency gift
There are other ways to help too: any item purchased from Emergency Gifts in Great Charity Gifts help us stock emergency items in advance of any disasters.
>>Click here to view these
Swat Feedback
The long-term presence of Muslim Hands in Swat facilitated the timely set-up of feeding centres when the recent crisis began unfolding in April. Alhamdulillah, these centres, such as the Khungi Camp at Timargarah, helped over 1,050 displaced families by providing them with essential food supplies.
Muslim Hands has since mobilised experienced emergency relief teams in Swabi, Mardan and Jal-o-zai and redeployed ambulance units and medical crews from neighbouring regions to provide medical care.
In Swabi and Mardan, 6 Medical Relief Camps specialising in mother and infant health are now providing a vital service.
Over 250 young men and women volunteering with MH, including 23 doctors and medical staff, are active in the region, working tirelessly to avert a major humanitarian disaster.
Living under such stressful conditions, children are at risk from suffering mental trauma and long term psychosocial problems. In order to offer some sense of normality to their lives, MH is running 9 Camp Schools for 1,200 young boys and girls. Alongside their schooling, they are provided a safe play area and nutritional meals daily.
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- Emergency Relief
The world we live in is full of inequality. When conflict or natural disasters occur, countries that are not economically developed are usually unable to cope with and recover from destruction.
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