UN Migration Agency Launches Faith-Based Fund to Support Displaced Families with Cash Payments
Geneva, 19 February 2026
The International Organization for Migration has expanded its Islamic Philanthropy Fund as part of its second annual Ramadan campaign, targeting migrants and displaced families across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The initiative harnesses Zakat and Sadaqah donations to provide direct cash assistance, enabling families to address their most urgent needs whilst preserving dignity and supporting local economies. This expansion reflects a growing trend of incorporating faith-based philanthropy into humanitarian responses, with the fund operating under a 100% Zakat distribution policy aligned with Shariah principles.
Campaign Launch and Operational Framework
On 18 February 2026, IOM launched its ‘Share the Blessings’ campaign, marking the second year of this Ramadan initiative [1]. The Islamic Philanthropy Fund operates as IOM’s global mechanism for collecting and distributing Zakat, Sadaqah, and other forms of Muslim alms, with a commitment to 100% Zakat distribution policy [1]. The Fund operates in accordance with recognised fatawa confirming IOM’s eligibility to collect and administer Muslim alms, providing religious legitimacy for donors [1]. Mohammed Abdiker, IOM Chief of Staff and Chair of the IPF Advisory Body, emphasised that the Fund embodies ‘compassion, solidarity, and our shared responsibility to care for one another’ [1]. The initiative builds upon last year’s appeal in Sudan, now extending assistance across multiple emergency contexts driven by conflict, climate impacts, and displacement [1][4].
How to Access Support and Eligibility
The expanded fund targets displaced families, stranded migrants, survivors of trafficking, and vulnerable host communities across six countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen [1][4]. Donations can be made through IOM’s secure online platform at https://zakat.iom.int/ for English-language donors and https://zakat.iom.int/ar for Arabic-language users [1]. The Fund provides life-saving support including emergency shelter, healthcare, protection services, and cash assistance [4]. Cash transfers specifically empower families to address their most urgent needs independently, preserving dignity whilst stimulating local economies even during crises [4]. The programme enables recipients to make their own decisions about how to best address immediate needs, providing greater flexibility than traditional in-kind assistance [GPT].
Concrete Impact and Partnership Examples
A recent partnership demonstrates the Fund’s practical application: through a USD 300,000 contribution from Muslim Charity, IOM procured and delivered 448 emergency tents in Gaza, providing support to an estimated 2,464 people [2]. This partnership was facilitated through the Islamic Philanthropy Fund, launched in 2025 to harness Islamic charitable giving for vulnerable populations [2]. IOM’s Gaza response currently utilises nearly USD 2.65 million in contributions from various Islamic charitable organisations to provide emergency shelter support [2]. Across Gaza, nearly the entire population of 2 million people remain displaced, with many living in overcrowded sites or makeshift shelters [2]. Over the last four months, IOM has dispatched 1.77 million relief items, including more than 28,000 tents, 440,000 tarps, and 340,000 thermal blankets [2].
Broader Context of Faith-Based Humanitarian Funding
The expansion reflects a significant trend in humanitarian financing, with Islamic philanthropy playing an increasingly vital role amid global funding pressures [4][7]. UNHCR’s 8th Islamic Philanthropy Annual Report revealed that in 2025, the organisation received USD 39 million through Islamic charitable contributions, helping reach more than 1 million people across 25 countries [7][8]. Nearly 60% of these Zakat and Sadaqah contributions came from the Middle East and North Africa region, led by donors in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia [7][8]. The broader Islamic philanthropy sector has demonstrated substantial growth, with UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund alone raising more than USD 300 million since its 2017 launch, benefiting nearly 10 million people in 36 countries [8]. This success comes as traditional humanitarian funding faces severe constraints, with budget cuts forcing the suspension of critical programmes including medical care, child protection, education, and shelter in countries such as Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Bangladesh [7][8].