On 10 March 2010, tropical Cyclone Hubert struck the south-east coast of Madagascar between Tamatave and Mananjary, about 700 kilometres south east of the capital Antananarivo.   Towns and villages were cut off by flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains. Moreover, disruption to communication networks has complicated relief efforts. Hubert was the first cyclone to cause serious damage on the island in the current cyclone season, which began in November and ended in April.

According to the latest estimates, at least 36 people were killed, more than 85,000 injured and about 38,000 left homeless. To complicate matters more, the danger of epidemics due to rising sea levels are high and to this end the risk of diarrhoea, malaria and respiratory infections are growing.

UNICEF responded immediately to this disaster by sending essential medicines, tarpaulins for temporary shelter, water and sanitation kits, soap, water purification tablets, jerry cans for carrying water and mosquito nets.

The victims of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake look to the rest of the world for relief. Across the shores of this little island millions of concerned people are finding various ways to help. To this end, The World Federation and many other Muslim aid organisations are working hard to help provide a range of support services to the people of Haiti, including our Muslim brothers and sisters from the Al Mahdi Islamic Centre who were also gravely affected by the quake.

 

‘The generous person is close to Allah, close to people and close to Paradise.’ The Holy Prophet (S)

On Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 4:53pm, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Haiti just when people were preparing to leave work to go home to their families. Sadly, thousands of these individuals will never see their loved ones again as family members and friends are missing in the rubble and 50,000 to 100,000 people are already feared dead.

The quake’s epicentre hit just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital where the population is about 2 million. 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9 continued to rock the island after the initial shake.

‘If people understood what good there was in the month of Ramadhan, they would have liked that it last for a year.’  The Holy Prophet (s)

As we bid farewell to the great month of Sha’baan, The World Federation takes this opportunity to wish Muslims around the world Ramadhan Mubarak. The Almighty continues to shower His Mercy and Blessings upon us and for this we are most thankful.

The World Federation in partnership with The Africa Federation, CoEJ and NASIMCO is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Ramadhan Relief Fund. Funds raised through this appeal will help orphans, widows, seniors the disabled and those living in poverty a little bit of respite this Ramadhan.

Countless Muslims across the earth are living in hardships, and with the added pressure of the global financial meltdown, this Ramadhan will be that much more challenging. With little to no income, so many Mo’mineen will not have adequate food for Sehri and Iftaar. Debts are rising as families borrow funds to purchase essential goods necessary for survival. Life is anything but easy.