Islamic Devt Bank Partners Islamic Relief USA to Support GIFR Mission Worldwide

Sunday Okobi in Algiers

In a significant step forward for global refugee relief efforts, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), acting as the trustee for the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR), has signed a Donor Contribution Agreement (DCA) with the Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a prominent US-based humanitarian and development organization.
The agreement, according to the organisation, is to bolster the Fund’s mission to provide sustainable aid and empowerment to refugees and displaced populations worldwide.

Formalized during the IsDB Group’s Annual Meetings in Algeria, the agreement was signed on Wednesday by H.E. Mr. Adil Alsharif, Officer-in-Charge and Director-General of the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and Mr. Ahmed Shehata, the Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Relief USA, in a ceremony witnessed by H.E. Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank for Operations.
The bodies stated that the new contribution would build on the GIFR’s growing momentum, “which has already secured US$110 million in commitments, including US$50 million each from the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), plus US$10 million from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
“IRUSA’s contribution marks a milestone in the GIFR’s resource mobilization, expanding its ecosystem and underscoring its global perspective in addressing refugee crises.
“With this contribution, IRUSA becomes the newest member to join the GIFR steering committee, a main governance body of the GIFR which reviews and approves allocation of funding to projects serving the forcibly displaced populations and their host communities in the IsDB member countries.
“The GIFR is a unique, Shariah-compliant fund designed to provide sustainable financial support to refugees and displaced people, especially in IsDB member countries. Its pilot intervention, the Regional Emergency Response Initiative for Sudanese Refugees, demonstrates its commitment to addressing pressing crises with targeted and impactful programmes. The IRUSA contribution will further bolster funding for programmes that enhance access to education, water, sanitation, shelter, and other critical services for those affected by forced displacement,” Shehata and Alsharif, stated.

While welcoming the partnership with IRUSA, Alsharif, the ISFD’s officer-in-Charge and director-general of ISFD, stated that: “This significant contribution by Islamic Relief USA reinforces our collective resolve to meet the growing needs of refugees and forcibly displaced individuals, particularly within IsDB member countries. The GIFR, with its innovative Shariah-compliant framework, is a vital tool for ensuring steady support, channeling funds into programmes and interventions aimed at uplifting the lives of those most severely impacted by forced displacement.”

The Senior Advisor to the High Commissioner and UNHCR Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, Dr. Khaled Khalifa, commended the partnership with Islamic Relief USA, stating: that: “We are deeply grateful to the Islamic Relief USA for this generous contribution to the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR). This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to compassion, dignity, and collective responsibility and exemplifies the power of Islamic philanthropy to transform lives and deliver hope to millions of forcibly displaced people.”
He stated further that: “The GIFR offers a sustainable and Sharia-compliant funding model that channels contributions towards impactful, long-term humanitarian support for those most in need. By supporting it, Islamic Relief USA demonstrates leadership in faith-based giving and global solidarity. We invite others to join this growing initiative and collectively strengthen our ability to respond to the world’s most pressing displacement crises.”

On his own, Shehata, the chief executive officer of IRUSA, praised IsDB and UNHCR for spearheading the GIFR initiative, stating that: “As we continue to witness an unprecedented and alarming rise in refugees and forcibly displaced persons around the world, humanitarian institutions must devise bold, innovative approaches to solve such complex challenges.
“The GIFR initiative, which provides a sustainable, steady, and impactful source of funding for these populations, represents exactly that. IRUSA is honoured to join and collaborate with IsDB and UNHCR in this incredibly vital programme through a US$10 million contribution, the proceeds of which will go towards comprehensive humanitarian programming to some of the 51 million forcibly displaced persons around the world.”

He stated that GIFR, which was launched in 2022 by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), represents a first-of-its-kind Shariah-compliant financing mechanism to support programmes serving the refugees and host communities in IsDB member countries. It comprises Waqf and Non-Waqf modalities, enabling contributions from a wide range of donors and benefactors.

It was further learnt that contributions are invested according to Islamic Finance principles and Shariah guidelines with proceeds used to support critical humanitarian efforts for refugees, including access to education, water, sanitation, shelter, and opportunities.
Also, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee because of conflict, violence or persecution. “We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people,” the agency noted.

Also, the Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), based in Alexandria, VA in the United States, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. IRUSA’s mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.