“The water at my doorstep has made my life easier and happier.”

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right that many communities around the world still struggle to obtain.

Islamic Relief is providing clean water to vulnerable communities in Somalia, Nepal, Afghanistan and Iraq. Our Initiatives have been a lifeline and brought hope to families,  giving them a source of clean and safe water. 

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) emphasised the importance of water, stating:

Water is a precious resource that sustains life. Allah reminds us in the Qur’an, “By means of water, we give life to everything” (Qur’an, 21:30). Yet, communities without access to clean water face unimaginable hardships. Women and children often walk for hours to collect even a small amount of water, and families struggle to support themselves due to a lack of education and livelihood opportunities.

Islamic Relief recognises the significance of safe water as a basic human right and a means to uplift communities.

Let us explore some of the remarkable impacts Islamic Relief’s clean water facilities have made in these communities, guided by the understanding that water is a blessing from Allah (SWT) and fulfilling this right is an excellent form of Sadaqah.

Puntland, Somalia 

Islamic Relief responded to the devastating impact of drought with a project to help provide sources of clean water and food.

Aisha’s family was among the rights-holders who were selected by Islamic Relief to benefit from the seven-month “Improvement of Water and Food Security” for the Badhan (IWAFS) Project at Badhan district of Sanag region, Somalia. The project focuses on improving the water accessibility through the provision of water trucking, improvement of hygiene conditions through the distribution of hygiene supplies and raising awareness in the community.

Islamic Relief’s water trucking activities provided Aisha’s family with two months’ worth of clean and safe water, bringing them renewed hope and relief.

Naukunda, Nepal

Rural communities in Nepal struggled daily for safe drinking water. Only 27% of the population has access to safely managed water and only 62% have access to basic sanitation facilities.

The community people residing in Naukunda Rural Municipality were struggling for portable water. The households were not connected to a safe and regular drinking water supply system and had to rely on public taps, spring water and the river. As a result, women and girls had to spend much of their time (30-60 minutes) collecting water for their families and cattle.

Islamic Relief, in collaboration with Batas Foundation, embarked on a mission to change this. Through the completion of seven drinking water supply schemes, over 293 households gained access to safe drinking water through household tap connections.

Islamic Relief’s intervention eliminated the burden of water collection and uplifted the overall well-being of the community.

Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Islamic Relief has been providing urgently needed Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) assistance to vulnerable communities. We have  water networks and disability-inclusive latrines, significantly improving the lives of communities. Previously, women and girls had to travel long distances in search of clean water, but now, with water readily accessible, children can attend school, and women have more time to spend with their families.

The gift of clean water is a life-saving action with immeasurable rewards. Allah states in the Qur’an:

The construction of three solar-powered water networks made up of three bore-wells and reservoirs of 30,000 litres capacity each and 200 disability-inclusive latrines have been implemented and will significantly change the lives of the communities.

Diyala, Iraq

Communities in Diyala have been affected by drought, water scarcity, and pollution. Islamic Relief implemented the “Rehabilitation of WASH Schemes and Community Assets” project.