In 1997 Islamic Relief began the Orphans Welfare Programme in Baqa’a refugee camp in Jordan.

As well as orphans sponsorship, the project provides opportunities for community development.

Islamic Relief is working in partnership with a local organisation.

Baqa’a refugee camp is the largest Palestinian refugee camp in the Middle East. Situated 20km from Amman in one of Jordan’s desert valleys, the camp was originally set up as a temporary settlement. However, it is now home to at least 120,000 Palestinian refugees.

Baqa’a camp is an overcrowded maze of small houses, narrow streets and open gutters. Poor sanitation has led to the spread of disease and attracted rats and other vermin to the camp.

Small markets and shops have created a miniature economy within the camp but unemployment is still high and many people travel to Amman to find work.

Education in Baqa’a camp is basic and there are very few opportunities for children. There are also no safe areas for children to play.

Project Objectives

• To improve the standard of living for orphans and their families;
• To ensure that orphans have access to healthcare;
• To ensure that all school-age orphans attend school regularly;
• To ensure that all school-age orphans complete their secondary school education;
• To assist in the development of social and life skills;

Project Activities

• Distribution of monthly sponsorship;
• Distribution of food, clothes and school bags;
• Regular visits to orphans by Orphan Welfare staff;
• Free healthcare at a medical centre;
• Summer camps for orphans, where they can participate in social activities such as sports tournaments;
• Older orphans receive vocational training to improve computer, sewing and handicraft skills.

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/