OIC, Humanitarian Organisations Implement Ramadan Activities

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Ramadan is the month of generosity and giving. In line with this the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) humanitarian offices carry out humanitarian activities in a number of member states, together with other humanitarian organisations, especially in Palestine, Somalia and Central Africa as well as the Syrian refugees in Turkey. The OIC said in a statement that the activities and projects were aimed at providing the basic necessities and alleviate the sufferings of those most in need during the holy month. In the Gaza Strip, the OIC office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Work, received a delegation of 'TurkiyeDiyanet Foundation' which distributed 1,200 food packages in addition to organising 'Iftar' meals (breaking fast) for 1,000 orphans and '4 Iftars' for 500 people in different areas of the Gaza Strip. In addition, the organisation also distributed 1,400 food parcels funded by Saudi Arabia's World Islamic Relief Organisation. OIC hopes to implement other projects in cooperation with Alkhir Foundation in Britain, Malaysian Consultative Council (MAPIM), and the Saudi campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian people, the statement said. As for the refugees, the OIC distributed 3,000 food baskets to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and 30,000 packets of milk for children in partnership with Turkish Hayat Yolu Association for Syrian refugees in Turkey. In addition, four Iftars were also organised for Syrian students and 1,500 food baskets distributed in partnership with Turkish DenizFeneri Association. OIC also plans to organise Iftar in cooperation with Turkish civil society organisations through its office in Turkey in conjunction with Orphan Day in the Islamic World on 15 Ramadan (June 20). Meanwhile, Saudi National Campaign has prepared a plan for distribution of Ramadan Iftars to 45,000 families in Somalia after a meeting was held to discuss the best ways to coordinate humanitarian activities during Ramadan. In Central Africa, OIC coordinated with a number of humanitarian organisations to provide food assistance to the Central African Republic during the month of Ramadan. A project aimed at organising Iftar for residents of Al-Quds Al-Shareef and neighbouring areas was also launched by the OIC while a project to combat poverty will be implemented through humanitarian offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Afghanistan by executing programmes and projects for economic empowerment, the OIC said. -- BERNAMA