RAMADHAN RELIEF 1430.
13 September 2009 01:19
RAMADHAN RELIEF – 1430/2009
Every year when the month of Ramadhan enters, the paradise decorates itself ornately and beautifies itself then Allah, the Most High will say three times every night in the month of Ramadhan:
· Is there anyone who seeks so that I may bestow?
· Is there any repentant so that I may pardon him?
· Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him?
· Who is there to lend a soft loan (alms and charity for the poor) to one who is Sufficient, Everlasting and One who is Just and wrongs no one?
HUNGER
Every single day on our planet,
· 50,000 people die from starvation.
· 800 million go to bed hungry each night.
· 200 million children under age 5 are underweight.
· 1 child dies from poverty related diseases every 2 seconds.
· 15 children have died in the 30 seconds it took to read these statistics to you.
Times are rough, times are bad for so many of our brothers and sisters living across this great big earth we share as they fight poverty each and every day, especially in the month of Ramadhan. Did you know that a single hunger contraction lasts about 30 seconds, and pangs continue for 30-45 minutes thereafter? In essence, hunger is the most acute form of poverty, where individuals cannot afford to meet their most basic need for food. The World Health Organisation cites hunger as the gravest single threat to the world's public health.
Countries in which a large portion of the population battles hunger daily are usually poor and often lack the social safety nets people in the west enjoy, such as soup kitchens, food stamps, and job training programs. When a family that lives in a poor country cannot grow enough food or earn enough money to buy food, there is nowhere to turn for help.
THE GLOBAL CREDIT CRUNCH
This year especially, the credit crunch is hitting the income of the world's poorest people the most. For example, the Global Monitoring Report from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) estimates that 390 million of the poorest Africans will see their income drop by around 20% - far more than in the developed world. In addition, the global financial crisis has seen a drop in investment flows to poorer countries, bringing the region’s limited progress in poverty reduction to a shuddering halt.
MALNUTRITION
What is more disturbing is that the report highlights an increase of between 200,000 and 400,000 in infant mortality mainly due to child malnutrition. People with malnutrition lack the nutrients necessary for their bodies to grow and stay healthy, affecting a person's physical and mental health.
· Malnutrition is, by far, the biggest contributor to infant and child mortality today. When a pregnant woman is malnourished, her child may weigh less at birth and have a smaller chance of survival.
· Vitamin A deficiency affects approximately 25 percent of the developing world’s pre-schoolers. It is associated with blindness, susceptibility to disease and higher mortality rates. It leads to the death of approximately 1-3 million children each year
· Iron deficiency is the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide, affecting an estimated 2 billion people. It can cause mental retardation, delayed development, and even blindness in severe cases. Iron deficiency can cause a person to be less active and less able to concentrate. Students who are malnourished often have trouble keeping up in school. This form of malnutrition can easily be prevented by adding iodine to salt.
There are 1.02 billion undernourished people in the world today. This means one in nearly six people do not get enough food to be healthy and lead an active life. Improving nutrition is widely regarded as the most effective form of aid. The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase enough food.
To sum it up, the world's 22 poorest countries may need an additional $25 billion in aid this year to cope with the financial crisis. If the crisis is worse than the International Monetary Fund expects, though, that could hit $140 billion.
RAMADHAN RELIEF FUND
To help alleviate the troubles of the poor and destitute this Ramadhan, The World Federation is once again launching its annual RAMADHAN RELIEF APPEAL. Given the current global economic recession, one look in the eyes of our needy brothers and sisters will tell you how urgent it is to have your support during the Holy month of Ramadhan. The World Federation works with partnering agencies in Bangladesh, Bosnia, Myanmar, India, Madagascar, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Thailand – where inflation, unemployment, lack of social support, rising debts and hopelessness only increase the sufferings of the most vulnerable. Each Shabaan, funds are sent to these agencies who organize food parcels, Iftaars, paying of debts and cash gifts for the needy, this work is done ahead of time in anticipation of the generosity of donors. In other words, The World Federation relies on donations to fund this vital work.
With your help, we can feed the most deprived and in particular, orphans, seniors, widows and the disabled who cannot provide for themselves. These individuals have no one else to help them and no welfare programs to fall back on.
Your donation will provide food rations, Iftaars, payment of debts and cash gifts to the needy - making their lives a little easier during this Blessed month.
Today, let us answer the call of the Almighty when He once again asks: ‘Who is there to lend a soft loan (alms and charity for the poor) to one who is Sufficient, Everlasting and One who is Just and wrongs no one?’
Alhamdullilah we have managed to set up online payments for the Ramadhan Relief fund 1430.
Please click here to donate online with justgiving
May Allah reward you for your kind generosity.
Stanmore Jafferys
