Jordan
Meet the refugee journalist working to change lives
As a Syrian woman living in Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Alaa Alqasem knows better than most the challenges refugees face
Jordan
Ramadan donations bring hope for refugees
UNHCR’s global Ramadan campaign, ‘Every Gift Counts,’ aims to provide 100,000 families with support before the end of the holy month.
This year, millions of refugees and displaced people are observing the holy month of Ramadan in incredibly difficult circumstances. They live in constant uncertainty and struggle to put food on the table.
For these families, celebrating during the holy month can be a tragic reminder of everything they have lost.
Abo Safwan is a Syrian refugee living in Jordan. His four children died and he is now the sole provider for his orphaned grandchildren. Despite living in poverty, he also supports many orphans and others in need.
“I’m responsible for orphans, and I help other orphans as well,” he said. “This morning I bought sixty to seventy bags of bread to donate to orphans.”
This year, UNHCR’s global Ramadan campaign, ‘Every Gift Counts,’ aims to provide 100,000 families with support before the end of the holy month. The campaign will provide vulnerable families, including women, children, and families in hard-to-reach areas, with cash assistance to cover basic needs such as rent, food, health care and debt repayment. The Fund is supported by Zakat donations, and distributes 100% of funds to those in need, in adherence to the principles of Islamic giving.
Layla, an elderly displaced Iraqi widow, is the sole provider of her grandchildren since their father went missing. Ramadan brings up painful memories for the family. © UNHCR
“What can I say about Ramadan? Whenever it comes, it brings sadness to my heart.”
Mouna, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon and a mother of two, dreams of how she used to celebrate Ramadan back home in Syria. Now she relies on cash assistance to put food on her family's table. © UNHCR
For Layla, Ramadan brings up painful memories for the family. Layla is an elderly displaced Iraqi widow who is also the sole provider of her grandchildren since their father went missing.
“What can I say about Ramadan? Whenever it comes, it brings sadness to my heart.”
Thousands of internally displaced families, like Layla’s, rely on UNHCR’s cash assistance to survive.
“We only cook grains, except when I receive cash assistance I buy them a chicken…They long for their father. They don’t go out and play, They tell me it’s hard for us to see other kids with their fathers.”
Give your Zakat now to support refugees like Abo and Layla during the holy month of Ramadan.
