Food parcels and handouts offer temporary respite from hunger, but unless people are given the means to lift themselves out of destitution, the aid will eventually run out leaving only dependency.

Women generally face the greatest difficulties in finding work. Typically, when they are widowed or left abandoned with several children they have no skills to earn an income.

Islamic Relief makes a lasting difference in the lives of the poor by building the capacity of local communities to sustain themselves through:

• Vocational training programmes (computer classes, tailoring, making handicrafts etc.)
• Islamic Microfinance; Interest-free loans to start small businesses.
• Widows welfare (training and microfinance).
• Distribution of livestock.
• Promoting agriculture: distributing seeds and fertiliser, improving irrigation.
• Strengthening community governance.

The projects are also self sustainable as once the microfinance loans are repaid the money can be loaned out once more.

For examples of Islamic Relief's livelihoods and Islamic Microfinance work, please click below:

Mali: Cereal bank

Sri Lanka: Living independently

Pakistan: Community organisations

Help break the cycle of poverty and empower people to make a change to their lives.