Everyone has the right to make a decent living but for those living in poverty, without skills and support, it’s hard to get started. Employment means people can access basic services such as healthcare and education, and can secure a more promising future for themselves and their families. As part of Islamic Relief’s strategy to increase the ability of communities to maintain their livelihoods, we provide people with the tools, training and support they need to earn an income, whether it is running a business, growing fruit and vegetables or setting up a shop.

One of our most successful types of project involves Islamic microfinance. In 2009, we provided community organisations and individuals in more than 15 countries with interest-free loans, which they used to set up or expand a business. We also offer training and support to ensure people have the skills they need to make sure their enterprise is successful. Qard hasan (goodwill loans) are also provided to poor families to meet their immediate social needs — for example, school fees, costs for healthcare and housing repair, and other basic household costs.

Food-for-work and cash-for-work projects are key areas within our programme that we continue to support, mainly during emergency situations or as part of infrastructure or agriculture development projects. For example, we might pay local people with essential food items, such as oil, tea or sugar — or in cash — to rebuild roads and buildings after an emergency, or to build water supplies in areas of drought.