In 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Refugee Zakat Fund distributed more than $38 million in Islamic philanthropy to assist nearly 1.6 million people in 21 countries, a UNHCR report finds.

The report, Islamic Philanthropy: Annual Report 2023 (31 pages, PDF), outlines the impact of annual Zakat and Sadaqah contributions distributed through the fund and highlights key trends in Islamic giving as it relates to the needs of displaced people, now estimated to be more than 100 million globally—half of whom are from Muslim-majority countries. Zakat is a form of almsgiving and, as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is considered a religious duty for those who meet its criteria. Sadaqah is a broader term used to describe voluntary giving to charity. Since the fund was established in 2017, more than $192 million has been raised, 78 percent in the form of Zakat, reaching six million people in 26 countries with Sharia-compliant assistance.

In 2022, Zakat contributions totaling $21.4 million were allocated to help more than 756,000 refugees and internally displaced people in 17 countries. Sadaqah contributions totaling $16.7 million were allocated to help more than 839,000 in 16 countries. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh were the largest recipient cohort—more than 417,000 were beneficiaries of Zakat and almost 22,000 of Sadaqah. Since 2017, the fund has distributed approximately $77 million to benefit Rohingya refugees.

“While governments take the lead in response [to refugee crises], there is also an important role for faith-based philanthropy to help meet the needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said United Nations high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi. “[The Refugee Zakat Fund] not only alleviates the hardship and suffering of some of the world’s most vulnerable, but also reinforces the strong solidarity that exists throughout the Islamic world with refugees.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Shironosov)