Together making a world of difference

Islamic Relief SA
Corporate Social Responsibility

Contents
Our Approach
Message from the Country Director
Corporate Governance & Accountability
Stakeholder Relations
Our Projects
Emergency Relief
Primary Health Care
Orphans & Child Welfare
Education
Action 2015: Demanding Change
About Islamic Relief

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Our Approach
Visiting a school in Chad Country Director, Yusuf Patel
(right) with nasheed artist,
Rashid Bikha.

Simple philanthropy is what has driven most corporate social and community development in the past. In South
Africa, recent years have witnessed significant changes in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) practice. Complexity
has increased, as have demands for accountability. Legislation has had an impact here, including industry charters
and codes, BBBEE laws and the JSE-SRI Index.
Executive management is getting the message that CSI can be good for business as well as the communities they
serve. Potential benefits include an enhanced corporate image, improved employee morale, stabilising the social
and economic environment and been seen as a good corporate citizen.
If CSI is not regarded as a strategic activity, companies will keep falling into the trap of using CSI as an extension
of their marketing or public relations activities. The Business sector need to realise the importance of the
development side of their CSI initiatives. CSI therefore needs as much attention as any other strategic initiative in
order to be a real contributor to company growth.
Islamic Relief South Africa is proud to launch its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Fund, which will provide an
opportunity for both at small and large companies to contribute towards social development.
Islamic Relief South Africa has successfully been running a number of humanitarian support programmes locally
i.e. Education, Health, HIV/Aids and Food Security. With our long-standing relationship with beneficiaries and the
donor community, we are well placed to be a CSI implementation partner for business owners and corporate
institutions.
Although many companies are adhering to international standards and trends of CSR in response to both internal
and external requirements, there is still plenty of room for growth. Particularly in South Africa, where major
problems of economic and social inequality still prevail and where efforts are needed to ensure the equal access
to basic goods and services, CSR could still develop and expand.
Islamic Relief addresses the needs of the country in areas such as education, primary health care including HIV/
Aids, entrepreneurial development, child welfare and emergency relief. We also provide sustainable, social
economic development solutions to communities, through microfinance projects; making our CSR initiative, ideal
for businesses to support. It not only can help solve pending social issues, but also empower local individuals to
be part of their own communities economic growth.
After 30 years, Islamic Relief has grown, by the grace of Allah, into one of the worlds largest Islamic NGOs (nongovernmental organisations). As we look to the future, we are always eager to learn, develop and improve our
work, to serve the poorest and neediest people.
Yours in serving Humanity

Yusuf Patel
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Country Director, South Africa

Mission Statement
Islamic Relief South Africas Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative provides businesses with an opportunity to use corporate funding to
alleviate the plight of vulnerable communities. This initiatives programmes advocates action towards poverty alleviation, primary health care,
education and sustainability, with a special focus on social entrepreneurship towards development.

Corporate
Governance &
Accountability
As one of the worlds largest faith-based organisation, Islamic Relief measures its accountability in respect of its
donor confidence and its increase in funding year on year. In 2013, Islamic Relief Worldwide accounted for the
distribution in excess of R2,6 billion worth of assistance to the poorest of the poor throughout the world.

At Islamic Relief, we uphold the following fundamental

governance and compliancy policies:

Governance of the organisation

Financial integrity - sources of funds, methods of fundraising, bookkeeping and auditing systems, use of
funds, etc.
Organisational reliability and capacity (policies, process and management systems)
Performance effectiveness (level of benefits and types of impacts experiences either by members, targeted
beneficiaries or the general public)
Voice / advocacy credibility (veracity, accuracy, authority, fairness and representative nature of public
statements and advocacy campaigns)
Access by stakeholders to information about the organisation

Islamic Relief South Africa is a registered NGO and NPO and is issues Section 18A Tax certificates to its donors.

Stakeholder
Relations
Islamic Relief South Africa empowers and balances stakeholder voices so that they participate actively in all
high level deliberations including strategy, planning and delivery of outcomes.
Our strategy is defined in terms of our internal professional network as well as the relationships held with
partners, volunteers and the business community. Islamic Relief continuously strives to provide efficient delivery
of services in its projects and programmes and it honours the commitments made to its donor base by a vast
regulatory environment which includes progress reports, internal audits, assessments reports and donor reports.

Our organisation also strictly adheres to the International NGO

Accountability Charter, which includes the following principles:
Respect for Universal Principles
Transparency

Independence

Non-Discrimination

Professional Management

Effective Programmes

Responsible Advocacy

Ethical Fundraising

Good Governance

Our Projects
In South Africa, Islamic Relief works closely with the
national Department of International Relations and
Cooperation (DIRCO) to facilitate various humanitarian
relief interventions.
We are currently a major funder of the development
and construction of the Oncology Unit at the Nelson
Mandela Childrens Hospital in Johannesburg. Islamic
Relief has committed R110 million towards this.

However, these types of interventions have provided

Islamic Relief with the ability to positively influence
critical change by creating access to sustainable
resources within poor communities.
This, we believe, are the cornerstones of social and
economic development.
With other key focal areas in the education and
humanitarian sectors, protecting human rights and
vigorous advocacy campaign in the public and the
private sectors, Islamic Relief is ideally positioned
to ensure that corporate spend of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) funding is of benefit in both the
short and long term.

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Over the past 30 years of service, Islamic Relief has

played a major role in shaping public expectations
within the NGO sector, influencing both corporate
and government actions through consultations,
confrontations, and communication and cooperation
initiatives.

Emergency
Relief
Islamic Relief Worldwide has responded to emergencies
for three decades, providing a lifeline to vulnerable
communities affected by disaster and poverty in many
countries.
As we continue to increase our efforts to protect those
living in high-risk areas, the focus is on innovative
disaster-risk reduction and climate-change adaptation.
In South Africa, Islamic Relief is well placed to
assist vulnerable communities affected by shack
fires, flooding, xenophobia attacks, water and food
shortages, with regional offices in Durban, Cape Town
and Johannesburg.
We manage an annual winter relief campaign, where
we fundraise for blankets, warm clothing and other
necessities for beneficiaries and their families. Many
households also receive a monthly food hamper in
winter, consisting of food and non-food essentials.

Islamic Relief South Africa actively works with

other humanitarian organisations to develop a
comprehensive response towards local emergencies
and joins inter-faith efforts to secure lasting solutions.
More than two decades have passed since the end of
apartheid and South Africas first democratic election.
Our government is committed to social, economic and
political transformation in order to address historical
imbalances created by the apartheid system.
Economic empowerment of historically disadvantaged
groups including women and people with disabilities
is a key national development priority, with special
legislation and policies aimed at encouraging social
development. Corporate Social Responsibility was
thus incorporated into law to uplift the poor and
marginalised.
Noting the vast levels of poverty and inequality in South
Africa, Islamic Relief has prioritised local emergencies
within our Corporate Social Responsibility plan, to
enable a swift response where help is need following
natural disasters or civil protests.
Islamic Relief South Africa previously extended its
emergency relief operations to assist neighbouring
countries in times of need, such as flooding in
Mozambique and Malawi.

LOCAL EMERGENCY REFLIEF FUND

Aims & Objectives

To provide funding and in kind support to people living in areas affected by

natural disasters and crises who are unable to support themselves.

Context

IRSA has the necessary competencies to respond to natural disasters by facilitating

support or to directly support affected people.

Domains

Policy

To provide humanitarian relief and support to people affected by natural disasters

and/or crisis.

Initiatives

In 2014, IRSA funded R1,054m in emergency relief throughout South Africa but
sadly also turned away triple the amount in direct requests.

Performance Indicators

Islamic relief is capable of providing at least double the direct and indirect support
(Measured in respect of number of applications made and resources available)

Goals

Three national walk-in centres in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town

Seven permanently employed personnel
Over 100 volunteers and support staff throughout the country

To have available a R3 million emergency fund for 2015

Target R20 million Memorandum of Understandings with Private Sector for
disaster preparedness
Target SLA with the Department of Co-operative Governance for disaster
preparedness and climate change
To become one of the top 3 faith based South African organization dealing in
emergency relief work and humanitarian aid

Primary Health Care

Rates of childhood cancer are rising across Africa; but over 40%
of children never receive the specialist care they need.
One in two South African children will die of cancer; yet in
countries like the UK, the survival rate is as high as 80%.
What we know about childhood cancer in South Africa is that
there are 3,600 to 3,700 new cases of childhood malignancies
that are reported each year and that excludes the unreported
cases of which we believe to be many more.
Access to correct diagnoses and treatment are essential to
fighting this disease.
Islamic Relief, through its partnership with the Nelson Mandela
Childrens Hospital Trust, has undertaken to establish a
specialised paediatric Oncology ward at the Nelson Mandela
Childrens Hospital, in Johannesburg.

Source: www.nelsonmandelachildrenshospital.org

Nelson Mandela Childrens Hospital

The Oncology unit will provide access to cutting-edge medical

technology to sick children from across the African continent. No
child will be turned away, because they cannot afford to pay.
Help us provide free access to care and treatment at the hospital.
Your financial contribution will save lives and grow a new
teaching venue for specialised doctors in Africa.
Become part of Nelson Mandelas legacy.
Be part of Islamic Relief.
Be part of the solution.

HEALTH SOLUTIONS NELSON MANDELA CHILDRENS HOSPITAL PROJECT

Aims & Objectives

To support primary health care initiatives which provide services to the poor and
needy.

Context

With an ailing primary health care system in South Africa, Islamic Relief supports
children and families with much needed health care support.

Domains

Islamic Relief South Africa has a partnership with the Ibn Sina Institute of TIBB, the
Nelson Mandela Childrens Hospital Fund (NMCH) and the Red Cross Childrens
Hospital.

Policy

To ensure that all South Africans that are in need of primary health care receive
the necessary assistance and support.

Initiatives

Performance Indicators

The project monitoring and evaluation is monitored,

assessed and reported on independently.

Goals

To increase the emergency medical fund to R3 million per annum,

over the next three years.
To ensure that the NMCH project opens successfully and
that it becomes sustainable
To increase the Red Cross funding to R1m per annum
over the ensuing 3 years

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In 2014, IRSA spent R582,000 in support costs.

In 2014, IRW committed to R110 million in funding for the Nelson Mandela
Childrens Hospital

Education
The Educate A Child campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable
children who cannot further their basic schooling because of extreme poverty.
Through this fundraising project, we are assisting approximately 1,000 rights holders from pre-school through to
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels.
Many rights holders come from child-headed households or are being raised by grandparents.

Strategic Partnership: 2 Oceans Education Foundation

Islamic Relief South Africa formed a strategic partnership with the 2 Oceans Education Foundation to provide
disadvantaged youth to access to quality education in townships across South Africa.
The project has been endorsed by Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor and Department of
Education and offers a holistic approach to education. This would entail establishing free, low cost schooling,
which includes a sports academy and leadership academy model where learners are empowered.
Islamic Relief together with the 2 Oceans Education Foundation are committed to making quality education
more easily accessible to those living in impoverished areas as we strongly believe that education is an
imperative in escaping poverty. Yusuf Patel, Country Director, Islamic Relief South Africa
EDUCATION
Aims & Objectives

To provide individuals with access to quality educational programmes so they

may develop and attain their goals, benefitting themselves and their community

Context

Islamic Relief South Africa has an existing partnership with the 2 Oceans Education
Foundation, including a well-established educational fund.

Domains

2 Oceans Leadership College

National Bursaries and Educational Grants

Policy

To provide opportunities to the less fortunate

By providing free access to quality programmes

Initiatives

In 2014, Islamic Relief South Africa funded in excess of R7,9 million in educational
projects

Performance Indicators

Based on current capability, and in particular the success of the Leadership

College, the comprehensive sustainable growth rate of all our educational
projects is standing at 40% over the next three years.

Goals

To acquire and distribute educational CSR funding as follows:

2015 R10 million

2016 R12 million

2017 R15 million

Orphans and
Child Welfare
Losing one or both parents is traumatic for any child in any situation.
However, in countries where war, famine and AIDS are a part of
everyday life, millions of children are orphaned and left to struggle
for survival.
Islamic Reliefs Orphan Programme is aimed at alleviating the
plight of child poverty in the worlds poorest communities. This is
done through a comprehensive and integrated one-to-one orphan
sponsorship programme that takes care of the needs of orphans i.e.
health, education and social welfare.
Islamic Relief has been working with orphans since 1986 and now
has Orphan programmes, in over 30 countries, supporting more than
40,000 children worldwide.

Osizweni Community Centres

A proudly South African concept

South Africa remains troubled by high levels of

poverty, unemployment and criminal activity
which are affecting orphans and vulnerable
children and the elderly living in impoverished
communities.
After consultation with communities, Islamic Relief
South Africa opened the Osizweni Community
Centre in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, which
has become a place of safety and a hub of social
welfare and development.
Osizweni is where the community can come for
support and assistance with their educational,
financial, nutritional, health, physical and
developmental needs.

The centre boasts a day care facility, giving

mothers and guardians an opportunity to look or
seek medical treatment at the local clinic while
their children are being cared for.
A successful Aftercare programme is also being
run at Osizweni, with trained care workers and
volunteers who assist school going children with
their homework and treating them to a hot meal.
The centre also serves the adults in the community
through adult education, workshops and training.
The centres has provided opportunities for the
orphans guardians to earn an income through skills
development, income generating activities, job
creation, job opportunities through networking
and food gardens.

Aims & Objectives

Islamic Relief South Africa works to support Orphans and vulnerable children in
South Africa, through sponsorship and child welfare projects.

Context

The number of orphans worldwide is currently more than triple the population of
South Africa. Thats 153 million children without one or both parents to give them
a home, safety and most importantly, love.

Domains

IRSA has a comprehensive OVC programme providing food, clothing, and welfare
to 1500 of the 2 million needy children in South Africa.

Policy

To provide food, shelter, protection, medical and educational support to the

poorest of the poor

Initiatives

In 2014, IRSA spent R5,24 million to fund this programme, sponsoring 840 children.

Performance Indicators

Goals

The funding and child protection framework, evaluated in 2014 indicates

that our programme measures up to International CPWG standards
Our programme is evaluated and reported on annually

To increase funding for this programme from R5,24 million as follows:

2015 R8 million
2016 R10 million
2017 R13 million

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ORPHAN & CHILD WELFARE

ACTION 2015:
Demanding
change
The drive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the end of
2015 has now entered its countdown phase. Many of the goals set out 15 years
ago have been partially transformed from dreams and aspirations into tangible
realities.
Collaboration between state, civil society and business has been, and will
continue to be, key to success in addressing some of the worlds most pressing
social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Islamic Relief has joined other Action/2015 campaigners to put forward an
Islamic viewpoint of what the 2015 sustainable development goals should be.
Our focus is on climate change, gender and development financing. Our
Islamic faith, cultural diversity and global reach are sources of credibility and
uniqueness to the world.
Islamic Relief is therefore urging people to have their say and back the campaign
as part of its multidimensional approach to reducing poverty worldwide.
High profile activists from Queen Rania of Jordan and Malala to Ben Affleck,
Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim have backed the action/2015 coalition,
which is made up of over a thousand organisations in more than 120 countries
around the world.
The movement aims to make sure the agreements are shaped by the public, and
also calls on people around the world to hold their governments to account for
their commitments.
Islamic Relief is pushing hard for a development agenda capable of promoting
environmental sustainability, establishing equity and wiping poverty from
the world map.
As a large scale NGO, we are using our platform to influence the Post-2015
agenda, which will be the global framework for development over the next few
decades.

To develop a partnership with

Islamic Relief and to benefit from its
CSR initiative, call our HoD of Finance,
Mr E Mohamed, directly on
+27 21 696 0145 / +27 82 5522011, or
ebrahim.mohamed@islamic-relief.org.za

Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our

values, we believe that people with wealth have
a duty to those less fortunate regardless of race,
political affiliation, gender or belief.
Our projects provide poor people with access
to vital services. We protect communities from
disasters and deliver life-saving emergency aid. We
provide lasting routes out of poverty and empower
vulnerable people to transform their lives and their
communities.

Sincerity (Ikhlas)

Our Mission
Islamic Relief envisages a caring world where
communities are empowered, social obligations
are fulfilled and people respond as one to the
suffering of others.

Our Values
We are guided by the timeless values and teachings
of the Quran and Prophetic example (Sunnah),
which recognise that people with wealth have a
duty to those who are less fortunate. Our values
are:

Compassion (Rahma)
Custodianship (Amana)

Social Justice (Adl)

Excellence (Ihsan)

Our three year strategy, Faith Inspired Action, encapsulates our plan to do just that: to
save and protect lives, empower communities to stand on their own two feet, speak out
on behalf of the vulnerable about issues affecting them, and strengthen our own Islamic
Relief family so that we can work to the best of our ability. We aim to do this all in line with
our key values.

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Since receiving our first donation in 1984, we have

helped millions of the worlds poorest and most
vulnerable people.

About islamic relief

Islamic Relief is an independent, humanitarian and

development organisation with a presence in over 45
countries around the globe. We have been fighting
poverty and injustice for 30 years, in a world in which
over three billion people still live in poverty.

Islamic Relief South Africa

Johannesburg
1st Floor,
57 Mint Road
Fordsburg
Tel: 011 836 1054
Fax: 011 836 1055
Durban
1st Floor,
169 Brickfield Road
Overport
Tel: 031 208 2838
Fax: 031 207 9141
Cape Town
62 Little Road
Athlone
Tel: 021 696 0145
Fax: 021 696 1783
P.O Box 19434 Dormerton 4015,
South Africa
Registered charity: PBO 930018104