Dawood Ma, Country Director of Islamic Relief China, accepted the ‘Charitarian Organisation Award’ at a ceremony in Beijing on the 10th January 2007.

Madam Gu Xiulian, the Vice Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, attended the ceremony and the award was presented by His Excellency Wang Guoliang, Deputy Director of State Council Office of Poverty Alleviation.

Promoting Responsibility

The programme raises awareness of poverty in China and encourages the public to become involved in development. Wealthy people were encouraged to visit disadvantaged areas of China to experience the harsh reality of poverty for over 120 million people.

The aim is to promote charitable and social responsibility, and the concept of volunteering and providing assistance to vulnerable members of society.

Working in partnership

The programme was initiated by IRW’s partner, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA). Hundreds of organisations supported the programme, including government bodies, aid agencies and the media.

Islamic Relief in China

In 2006 IRW contributed over 148,000 Euros towards emergency relief and development projects in China, in partnership with CFPA.

The projects include:

• Emergency flood response in Hunan province
• Girl Students’ Home project in Haiyuan county of Ningxia province
• Integrated rural development in Tongxin county of Ningxia province
• Disaster relief capacity building project
• Ramadhan programme to respond to drought in Tongxin county of Ningxia province

IRW began working in China in 2002 when floods devastated villages in Shaanxi province. Projects have included education, rainwater harvesting, irrigation development and seasonal Ramadhan and Qurbani food distributions.