Life for Relief and Development

In July, Afghanistan experienced floods that left at least 31 people killed, over 70 injured, and about 41 people missing. Flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rain in seven of Afghanistan’s provinces have partially or completely damaged over 600 residential houses, as well as hundreds of acres of agricultural land. Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) distributed food to 85 families in the Bisraq-Maidan Shaar region of Afghanistan, relieving some of the stress that many are feeling in a devastating time.

During the month of Ramadan, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) distributed food baskets to 4,500 people in Syria in the villages of Badama and Alramlyia, and the Al-Iyman Camp, the Zouf Camp, and the Alshaikh-Sayiah Camp, located in the Jisr Al-Shughur District. Food baskets consisted of staple food items for families to be able to cook throughout the whole month of Ramadan.

LIFE provided 12,200 people with food baskets and Iftar meals in the Rangpur, Gaibhandha, Mymensingh, Bogra, and Dhaka regions. Food items included rice, lentils, salt, dates, sugar, flour, oil, onions, potatoes, spices and dates, and would last for families the entire month of Ramadan. “We have never received such a big amount of relief from anyone before. I cannot express how supported I am feeling right now after receiving this relief,” said Asma Begum, whose family received a food basket.

As part of the Orphan Eid Party Project, LIFE held a party for 200 orphans on July 24-25 2022. Children were able to enjoy delicious meals, receive new clothes, and spend quality time with each other during Eid Al-Adha. The parties took place at Mutur and Kinniya, in the Trincomalee District. LIFE had two goals in implementing this project – to help the orphans feel loved and cared for, and to decrease the financial and emotional pressures placed on guardians or parents during the festive season.

As part of the Orphan Eid Party Program, LIFE hosted a party for 126 orphans in Attock, Abbottabad, Haripur, and Mansehra districts in Pakistan. The children were taken shopping for new clothes and shoes before the celebration and were also given gifts to take home. Everyone who attended enjoyed a delicious meal and fun activities afterward.

Life for Relief and Development recognizes the need for war-affected children to play and enjoy life. From June 10-25, 2022, LIFE funded and organized an Eid Al-Adha party with orphans and their mothers as honored guests. One hundred and thirty-five orphans enjoyed a delicious lunch and fun activities. As a parting gift, the orphans were given new clothing and toys.

Between May and July 2022, LIFE provided monthly stipends to teachers in public and Sharia schools. One hundred fifty-six teachers from eight locations were chosen for the subsidy. Additionally, operating costs and petty cash were provided to allow the schools to operate without disruption.

In recent months, the significant rise in food prices has hindered the ability of Syrian refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan to source and obtain affordable food. With many at risk of going hungry, Life for Relief and Development stepped in to distribute food baskets throughout the Zarqa, Hittin, Irbid, and Mafraq refugee camps in Jordan. A total of 773 families received the baskets containing 2 kilos of rice, 10 kilos of sugar, 2 kilos of lentils, 1/2 kilo of tea, and 3 liters of frying oil.

LIFE implemented a project to support Aleppo University, Gaziantep University, and Health and Sciences University. Through the Interventions in Syria to Sustain Higher Education project, LIFE supported Aleppo University, Gaziantep University, and Health and Sciences University by providing salaries to administrative and teaching staff, operating costs, and petty cash, to ensure continuity of the work at these facilities. LIFE also funded and helped to oversee the construction of new university buildings. A total of 304 persons received subsidized salaries from April to June 2022.

From April 4 to April 25, 2022, Life for Relief and Development provided food baskets to 715 families in the areas of Nindy, Grand Yoff, and Sagatta through its Food Basket Distribution Project.