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Access to safe water remains one of the most urgent humanitarian challenges globally. Millions of families still rely on unsafe water sources, exposing them to disease and limiting opportunities for education and livelihoods.
At Islamic Relief South Africa, water programmes focus on sustainable solutions that bring long-term change to vulnerable communities. These projects provide safe drinking water, support agriculture, and strengthen resilience against climate change.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best charity is giving water to drink and He was the most generous in giving charity.” (Ahmad)
Islamic Relief works in over 40 countries across the globe to ensure that not only do communities have a safe and reliable source of water for today, but for life too.
When we build a water system, we ensure communities have a sustainable source of clean water for years to come. We recognise the risk of drought, displacement and disease and we know that simply drilling wells and installing water pumps cannot solve the water crisis.
We bypass short-term interventions and high running costs to instead provide long-term sustainable solutions; installing irrigation systems, building water tanks, training communities, distributing hygiene kits and rehabilitating viable water systems.
Donate water charity now and help us to provide men, women and children clean and safe water, an essential we all take for granted.
Drip irrigation is a specialised type of micro-irrigation which allows water and nutrients to reach the roots of plants slowly and continuously. This provides a reliable source of water to local farmers.
Farmers are also trained with the skills they need to use and maintain this technology to ensure long-term sustainability.
The benefits of drip irrigation are vast: crop yields are normally double that of those yielded using tradition methods. Drip irrigation requires less labour, water and fertilisers and overall, these systems increase the productivity of crops, whilst reducing seasonal production costs for small holder farmers.
Micro dams are a great way to capture and store water for agricultural and domestic use. Islamic Relief has constructed micro dams in Mali which store rainwater, which can later be used by local farmers to irrigate their crops. This has helped to improve food production and livelihoods for local families.
The micro dams are also helping communities to combat the effects of climate change, aiding women to become increasingly engaged within their communities, and are providing jobs for young people.
Flash flooding can ruin water supplies and spread water-borne diseases such as cholera. In some areas that are prone to regular flooding, such as in Bangladesh, ensuring water sources are not polluted is very important.
In order to maintain a supply of clean, safe water for communities in need, we’ve installed flood-resistant hand pumps. These specialised pumps are installed five feet above ground level and the body of water is covered sufficiently to ensure flood water does not seep through.
These pumps typically each serve hundreds of families and ensure people do not need to take long journeys on a daily basis to collect clean water.
During times of emergency, many families are forced to flee their homes and urgently need access to clean water. The most effective way to provide fresh clean water is through water trucks.
Water trucking sometimes continues for a longer period of time, until longer-term solutions are developed. It is an emergency response in almost all environments, as long as a reliable water source is available nearby.
This water is often a lifeline for vulnerable families.
Rainwater is a natural source which can be harvested and stored to provide an ongoing water source. Ensuring water is effectively captured during heavy rainfall is essential to ensuring survival during dry periods.
Islamic Relief provides families with the tools and knowledge to gather rainwater in their local area, which they can later use to help grow food. This way of catching and storing water is particularly useful for those living in hilly or mountainous regions and provides families with easy access to clean water.
Access to clean water transforms communities. When safe water becomes available:
Through the continued support of donors, Islamic Relief water projects help restore dignity and opportunity to communities around the world.
By supporting a water project through Islamic Relief South Africa, you are helping to provide a sustainable source of clean water for vulnerable communities.
Your contribution can create a lasting impact and serve as a form of ongoing charity that benefits generations to come.
For a detailed overview of our water, including the different types of projects implemented and their long-term impact, download the brochure below.
[Download the Water Brochure]