Executive Summary

In 2024, partners and donors have generously contributed to the Refugee Zakat Fund, enabling UNHCR to support more than 872,000 refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in 25 countries. Significant donations from partners such as Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative, Muslim World League, Qatar Charity, Eid Charity, Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society, Islamic Relief USA, Rahima Foundation, Hasane International, the International Islamic Charity Organization and Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation among others, as well as donations via the Refugee Zakat Fund mobile app and through UNHCR’s Global Ramadan campaign, Dhul Hijjah campaign, Sadaqah Jariyah Campaign and Winter Campaign which  have all been instrumental to this success.

Since the piloting of the Refugee Zakat Fund in 2017, Zakat and Sadaqah supported more than 8.9 million people in 31 countries.

During 2024, the Refugee Zakat Fund received more than USD 14 million in Zakat contributions, assisting over 474,000 eligible refugees and IDPs across 22 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Somalia, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Syria, Türkiye and Yemen. 

Since the piloting of the Refugee Zakat Fund in 2017, Zakat contributions have assisted more than 5.7 million refugees and IDPs in 26 countries.

Sadaqah contributions, similarly, exceeded USD 7.8 million during 2024, which aided more than 397 thousand beneficiaries in 16 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Pakistan. New countries, namely Mexico and Eswatini, received Sadaqah funding for the first time ever.

Since the piloting of the Refugee Zakat Fund in 2017, Sadaqah contributions have assisted more than 3.1 million refugees and IDPs in 25 countries.

In March 2024, UNHCR launched its 6th Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report in partnership with the Zakat House of Kuwait, highlighting the impact of the Refugee Zakat Fund and emphasizing Islamic philanthropy’s role in addressing displacement crises.  This was followed after a month by a mission of UNHCR partners and donors from the MENA region to Chad, to review the impact of their contributions and raise awareness of the urgent needs in refugee camps and settlements.  

In September 2024, UNHCR hosted a successful high-level roundtable at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting the growing role of Islamic philanthropy in humanitarian efforts. A highlight of the event was a signing ceremony for strategic agreements, including a significant pledge from IRUSA to donate $25 million over five years to support UNHCR’s humanitarian efforts and sustainable impact. 

In 2024, UNHCR’s Islamic philanthropy efforts were bolstered by high-profile supporters like Maher Zain and Mostafa Atef, who advocated for refugee support and raised awareness through field visits in Jordan and Egypt, raising funds to support over 3,100 refugee families. 

 In 2024, UNHCR launched four Islamic philanthropy campaigns to support the most in need among refugees and IDPs around the world. 

UNHCR’s global Ramadan campaign raised essential funds to support 208,332 refugee and internally displaced persons from Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Myanmar, while UNHCR’s Dhul Hijjah & Adha campaign provided essential aid to 2,713 displaced families in Sudan and Yemen, two of the most critical humanitarian crises.   

UNHCR’s Sadaqah Jariyah campaign funded the construction and maintenance of boreholes in Chad, contributing to the support of nearly 10,000 people with improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and fostering sustainable community development.  

At the end of the year, UNHCR launched its Winter Campaign to support displaced families across more than 15 countries, with Zakat donations playing a vital role in its success.  

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy, an entity of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, will now serve as UNHCR’s Zakat Board, overseeing the external compliance review of the Refugee Zakat Fund, reinforcing UNHCR’s unwavering commitment to transparency and Sharia compliance. 

In 2024, UNHCR strengthened its partnership with influential supporters in the arts and nasheed industry, such as Maher Zain and Mostafa Atef, to raise awareness and fundraise for displaced families. Mostafa Atef visited Syrian refugee families in Jordan and helped support over 1,600 families through his advocacy, while Maher Zain visited Egypt to highlight the Sudan crisis, contributing to the support of more than 1,500 refugee families. Additionally, Atef continued his advocacy in Lebanon, raising funds and awareness for the urgent needs of displaced families affected by the war. 

In 2024, UNHCR’s Islamic philanthropy initiatives have made significant progress in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 25 countries. Through generous contributions to the Refugee Zakat Fund, nearly one million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) received crucial assistance, contributing to most SDGs, particularly No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4) and – through the Sadaqah Jariyah initiative – Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6).