UNHCR Kuwait chief highlights Zakat’s growing impact in assisting forcibly displaced people
Since 2017, the Refugee Zakat Fund has supported over 8.9 million people across 31 countries, reinforcing its role as a trusted Islamic social finance mechanism in humanitarian aid, reveals Nisreen Rubaian, the Representative of UNHCR to Kuwait.
• The impact of Islamic philanthropy has been further demonstrated through UNHCR’s major global humanitarian campaigns in 2024, including Ramadan, Dhul Hijjah, Sadaqah Jariah, and Winter campaigns.
Nisreen Rubaian, the Representative of UNHCR to the State of Kuwait, announced the launch of UNHCR’s 7th annual Islamic Philanthropy Report, emphasizing the growing impact of Zakat and Sadaqah in aiding refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally. Since 2017, the Refugee Zakat Fund has supported over 8.9 million people across 31 countries, reinforcing its role as a trusted Islamic social finance mechanism in humanitarian aid.
In 2024 alone, global Zakat contributions exceeded $14 million, benefiting more than 474,000 refugees and IDPs across 22 countries. Similarly, Sadaqah donations surpassed $7.8 million, assisting over 390,000 displaced persons in 16 countries.
Donors urged to boost support amid growing displacement and humanitarian crises
As the Holy Month of Ramadan has already begun, Rubaian urged donors to step up their support in response to growing displacement and humanitarian crises. Refugees and displaced families in Syria and Sudan remain among the most vulnerable, requiring sustained assistance.
$78 million in Zakat and Sadaqah donations
Since the onset of the Syria crisis, the Refugee Zakat Fund has distributed over $78 million in Zakat and Sadaqah donations, reaching 2.4 million beneficiaries in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Türkiye, primarily through multi-month cash assistance.
This Ramadan, the fund will intensify its efforts to ensure refugees receive essential support to meet their basic needs, rebuild their lives, and work toward a more stable future.
Impact of Islamic philanthropy
The impact of Islamic philanthropy has been further demonstrated through UNHCR’s major global humanitarian campaigns in 2024, including Ramadan, Dhul Hijjah, Sadaqah Jariah, and Winter campaigns.
UNHCR reaffirmed its commitment to Zakat compliance in 2024 by appointing the International Islamic FiqhAcademy (IIFA)—a distinguished body of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—as the official UNHCR Zakat Board. Additionally, the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR), a philanthropic endowment established in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)’s poverty alleviation arm, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), is now operational, securing initial pledges from contributors, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Refugee Zakat Fund App
To further streamline Zakat contributions, UNHCR continues to lead with innovation. The Refugee Zakat Fund App remains the only Zakat-dedicated app launched by a United Nations agency, offering donors a transparent and efficient way to give.
For more information and to access the full 2024 Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report, visit: https://zakat.unhcr.org/annualreport/annual-2024/.
