The significance of expanding charity activities in Ramadan

Two humanitarian officials have emphasised the importance of expanding charitable activities during the blessed month of Ramadan, which is considered a genuine opportunity for solidarity and social cohesion, aiming to reach as many needy families as possible who require assistance given the current circumstances they are facing.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the officials considered the current global situation as a justification for adopting promising methodologies to reach a maximum number of people in need of charitable aid more than ever before.
They highlighted the importance of enhancing the principle of collaboration in humanitarian charity work to establish the concept of social responsibility, which reinforces cooperation and kindness, a crucial consideration during these times.
The officials reviewed the activities and initiatives undertaken by authorised and licensed entities to reach as many deserving families as possible, enabling individuals to participate in a humanitarian system that accommodates everyone without exception. They cautioned against donating to unknown entities lacking legal status and urged participation in recognised charitable humanitarian activities.
Director of Fundraising Department and head of the Ramadan campaign at Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), Yousef Mohamed al-Awadi, stated that QRCS, through its ‘Duty To Help’ campaign, seeks to fulfil its usual mission of providing assistance to the needy, displaced, and refugees in various regions worldwide, to alleviate their suffering and preserve their dignity through a series of Ramadan and development projects.
He added that QRCS traditionally launches its Ramadan campaign each year to collect donations from people of goodwill and deliver them to the needy in the form of humanitarian and charitable aid.
Al-Awadi explained that among the humanitarian programmes to be offered during the holy month is the Ramadan Iftar project, through which QRCS distributes food baskets containing essential food items to needy families in Qatar, as well as in 18 countries around the world, to help them provide for their Iftar and Suhoor meals during Ramadan.
He stated that several accompanying projects will be implemented during Ramadan, such as the Zakat al-Fitr project, Eid clothing distribution, and food security projects through flour distribution to bakeries to provide daily bread for fasting individuals and needy families. Additionally, cash assistance and monthly sponsorships will be distributed to needy families through monthly sponsorships and one-time assistance to support them in meeting their basic needs during Ramadan.
Regarding the comprehensive programmes to be launched during Ramadan, al-Awadi explained that part of this year’s Ramadan campaign plan involves implementing comprehensive qualitative projects by QRCS to cover the basic needs of needy families, especially displaced persons and refugees, amidst the current global events and specifically in Palestine.
He emphasised that what distinguishes their plan for the blessed month of Ramadan is its focus on delivering Ramadan aid to beneficiaries well before the start of Ramadan, giving them the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the holy month and bringing joy to their hearts during Iftar. Furthermore, they will continue striving to achieve the QRCS strategic goal in preserving the dignity of beneficiaries and creating a safe environment for the affected through shelter and sustainable development projects.
In another context, al-Awadi affirmed that all societal sectors have become more aware of the importance of humanitarian work than ever before, given the tremendous increase in the number, size, and duration of humanitarian crises, resulting in losses of lives, properties, and livelihoods. This has led to the emergence of social phenomena and problems that defy resolution, such as displacement and refuge, affecting the lives of millions of vulnerable people worldwide, making them susceptible to hunger, homelessness, illness, cold, and unemployment, without finding the minimum requirements for a dignified life.
In this regard, he added that there is a need for humanitarian organisations to mobilise support and intensify efforts to rescue those affected by the hardships they face, helping them restore normal, safe, and stable lives.
He said that QRCS aims to reach about 300,000 beneficiaries through the Ramadan Iftar project, in addition to developmental and humanitarian projects covering areas such as food, shelter, water and sanitation, livelihood, education, psychosocial support, health, and medical caravans, targeting approximately 1.6mn beneficiaries.
Director of the Programmes, and International Development Department at Qatar Charity, Abdulaziz Hajji, affirmed that humanitarian work during Ramadan reflects developmental and social aspects. Seasonal projects are executed to meet people’s needs in terms of food and essential Ramadan requirements. These projects aim to assist refugees, displaced persons, poor, and needy groups, alleviating their suffering and bringing joy to their hearts.
Hajji explained that Qatar Charity’s seasonal projects include the Ramadan Iftar project, which distributes food baskets and Iftar meals, Zakat al-Fitr distribution, Eid clothing distribution, as well as gifts for orphans and children of low-income families. He emphasised Qatar Charity’s commitment to reaching the maximum number of beneficiaries during Ramadan, a month dedicated to compassion, solidarity, and assisting the needy.
Regarding developmental aspects, he pointed out that there are developmental projects being mobilised for implementation during Ramadan, such as projects for wells, mosques, orphanages, and houses for the poor. He clarified that these projects are carried out for the benefit of the poorest communities, with the expectation that they will make a better impact on people’s lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
Hajji emphasised the importance of these charitable and humanitarian activities in spreading goodness and social solidarity during the holy month due to the high rates of unemployment and poverty in many countries and poor communities, as well as the increasing frequency of long-term disasters, crises, and wars.
He pointed out that 2023 witnessed several crises and wars, as seen in Sudan and Gaza, in addition to several disasters such as earthquakes in Turkiye and Morocco, highlighting the increased need for developmental or social projects.