Through our volunteer training programme RespondIR, we’re committed to developing and sustaining a dedicated team of volunteers and staff ready to respond to local emergencies within 72 hours.
Barking Fire Recovery Response
After a fire broke out in Barking, London in June (2019), our RespondIR team stepped in to assist with recovery efforts. With 20 flats destroyed and a further ten damaged, a large number of people were left homeless and requiring specialist services.
Upon request of the British Red Cross – Crisis Response Team, in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council and the Local Resident Association, Islamic Relief joined as a second responder to the recovery phase providing assistance to the predominantly Muslim population including:
- Helping to signpost residents to appropriate services at a service desk
- Assisting with the purchase of items in order to meet the religious and culturally-sensitive needs of residents, for example abayas (long gowns) and providing access to a local Imam
- Distributing clothes and refreshments
- Listening to residents and supporting them in a faith-sensitive manner
We will continue to work with the British Red Cross and local councils to provide culturally and faith-sensitive support as and when required during local and national emergencies.
Find out more
Islamic Relief works with a range of partners to respond to local emergencies here in the UK. Find out more about our other UK progammes below:
