The IFRC is the world’s largest network of locally based humanitarian organizations and volunteers. We operate through our member Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, which are present in 191 countries across the world. 

We reach 160 million people every year through long-term services, development programmes and disaster response. Through our work, we enable healthy and safe communities, reduce vulnerabilities, improve people’s resilience and promote peace around the world. 

Examples include: the Red Cross Red Crescent efforts to provide relief to people impacted by the hostilities in the Middle East; the Sudan Red Crescent’s support for people displaced by fighting, or the Afghan Red Crescent’s work in supporting people impacted by years of conflict and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and drought, among many others.

The Zakat donations collected by the IFRC shall be used for providing humanitarian assistance in accordance with the Zakat policy and guidelines to the following categories:

1.  The Poor (Al Fuqara): The poor living without means of livelihood.
2. The Needy (Al Masakin): People who cannot meet their basic needs.
3. The Debtors (Al Gharimin): Those burdened by debts due to personal needs or social necessity.
4. The Wayfarer (Ibnu Al-Sabil): Travellers who cannot reach their destination without financial assistance.

Yes, IFRC is Zakat compliant based on fatwas received from reknowned Islamic institutions and scholars. These fatwas endorse the operations of the IFRC network as being compliant to Zakat and confirm credibility as a trusted organisation. 

Despite government and private-sector contributions, there still exists a large gap in humanitarian funding. The principles of Islamic Philanthropy provide a shared foundation of social and economic justice that can contribute to prosperity through the principles of inclusive participation and risk sharing that sustains communities at scale. 

The commonality of purposes between the principles of Zakat principles and our humanitarian goals is apparent. This is why the IFRC, together with interested National Societies, are seeking Islamic philanthropic contributions that can close the humanitarian funding gap. 

We believe Islamic philanthropy plays a significant role in creating meaningful impact on humanitarian and development interventions that will allow us to support communities affected by humanitarian crisis, most of whom are in member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Zakat contributions will be spent on humanitarian assistance to communities in need that are the hardest to reach and most disadvantages. Areas of Zakat spending include for example providing water, sanitation and hygiene (wash), food security, health facilities, and psychological support, emergency first aid services and primary health care including nursing care, medical consultation, distribution of medicines, household items and basic needs.

With the guidance and support of prominent Shariah scholars, the IFRC has developed a comprehensive Zakat policy that guides the collection and distribution of Zakat donations. The IFRC also commits to establishing a Zakat advisory group of Red Crescent Societies, imminent scholars and thought leaders to guide further its Islamic philanthropy efforts.