Teaming up with Sufra NW to help some of the most vulnerable families in London

As families in London continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic, Islamic Relief UK supported Sufra NW with over £13,000 to help almost 3,000 recipients with winter food packs.

Sufra NW is already providing food via a food bank to some of the most vulnerable people in the area and has seen a stark increase in the numbers that they are helping – with a 332% increase over the last year.

Based in St. Raphael’s Estate, Brent’s most disadvantaged neighbourhood, Sufra NW’s Community Hub provides a life-line for people in crisis – including families living in extreme poverty and people who are vulnerable, homeless and socially isolated.

They provide people with the food and support they urgently need to survive, empower them to learn new skills and improve their wellbeing, and help them find work and become financially stable.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including the homeless, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

To help some of the most vulnerable, food packs were distributed by Islamic Relief UK and Sufra NW on Thursday January 13 via its foodbank.

The food packs contained enough store cupboard staples and toiletries to last seven days, and were supplemented by fresh fruit, vegetables and bakery items.

Director of Sufra NW London, Rajesh Makwana said:

“The ongoing impact of Covid-19 alongside the cost-of-living crisis has created a perfect storm this winter, pushing countless more families into poverty.

Working with Islamic Relief UK has been a godsend – enabling us to reach many more people at a critical time of year when they need us most.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“Sufra NW is doing vital work in the community to help those in need. We are proud to be working with them to deliver much-needed relief to families during these winter months.

The need to help people not just with food but the skills required to find work and other support is a crucial model that Sufra NW is providing.

The increasing levels of poverty and financial hardship that people are facing in the UK is unacceptable. This should not be happening in one of the richest countries in the world.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

• Jonaid Jilani: [email protected]; 07872 403534

Photographs of the distribution can be found here:
https://we.tl/t-EOYRvCj8jo

About Sufra

Sufra NW London works on the front-line in the fight against hunger and poverty whilst also offering a wide range of services and community-based activities that empower individuals and families to overcome impoverishment and social isolation.

About Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.