In cooperation with the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA) announces the launch of phase 3 of their joint initiative "30 Days of Kindness". The initiative which was launched at the start of the new year aims to support refugees and displaced persons facing the cold winter months and the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is in line with Al-Azhar global mission to support the poor and needy and who fall under UNHCR’s humanitarian mandate to care for.
The start of phase 3 also coincides with the onset of severe cold accompanied with heavy rain, strong wind, low temperatures and snow that weigh heavily on refugees, displaced persons and families who do not have the minimum means to cope with the harshness of winter without adequate shelter, heating and winter clothing.
“The launch of phase 3 of the initiative, which focuses on the importance of warm winter clothing tovulnerable families in enduring the cold weather, is driven by the success of phases 1 and 2, and the solidarity shown by the public towards those in need amidst ongoing crises, loss of decent livelihoods, and their need for moral support from everyone,” said Dr. Nazir Ayad, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy.
The Secretary-General added that “'30 Days of Kindness initiative' is a humanitarian message that plays an important role in consolidating community solidarity. It also contributes to eliminating disparities among people, while supporting the values of cooperation, love and rehabilitation of the planet, and emphasizing values that reject discrimination and racism on the basis of race, colour or faith.”
“We are grateful to the public who have joined our call for more empathy and kindness with those forcibly displaced and in need during this cold winter season, and look forward to further advocating for the plight of the most vulnerable, facing both the harsh cold and the threat of COVID-19,” stated Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR Regional Representative to the GCC and Senior Adviser for Islamic Philanthropy, adding on that “a collective of small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, and this is what we aim to achieve and showcase through the "30 days of kindness" initiative with Al Azhar Islamic Research Academy.”You can watch the initiative’s phase 3 video here.
To encourage wide participation on social media, here has been set up to allow people to join the "30 days of kindness" initiative by adding their voice on this page and receiving daily messages from the Al Azhar Islamic Research Academy and UNHCR on how to assist refugees, IDPs and families in need at large, with shelter, food, winter clothing and livelihood development.