Human Appeal
Human Appeal is a British international humanitarian and development charity founded in 1991 in Manchester, inspired by Islamic values and focused on alleviating poverty, social injustice, and the effects of natural disasters through emergency relief, sustainable community programs, and orphan support.[1][2] The organization operates in over 25 countries, delivering aid such as food distribution, medical assistance, water and sanitation projects, education initiatives, and livelihood training, with a emphasis on local empowerment and long-term self-sufficiency.[3][1] While it has provided substantial relief in crises including Gaza, Pakistan floods, and Syrian conflicts, Human Appeal has encountered significant controversies, including allegations of ties to Hamas through affiliated entities and partners.[4] In 2021, the UK Charity Commission concluded a statutory inquiry determining misconduct and mismanagement, citing failures such as delayed reporting of incidents involving proscribed terrorist groups—like a warehouse seizure and trucks intercepted by armed militants in Syria—inadequate due diligence on donors and partners, breaches of local tax laws in Greece and Turkey, and insufficient trustee oversight.[5][6] These issues prompted governance reforms, including personnel changes and improved reporting protocols, though donor complaints about incomplete projects, such as delayed orphanages, have persisted.[7][5]History
Founding and Early Development
Human Appeal was established in 1991 in Manchester, United Kingdom, by two volunteers who began operations from a small flat.[8] The initiative emerged as a response to global humanitarian needs, with an initial emphasis on poverty alleviation through targeted relief efforts.[9] Registered that same year, the organization articulated a vision of fostering a just, caring, and sustainable world free from poverty, drawing on principles of humanitarianism to deliver aid in emergency and development contexts.[10] In its formative phase, Human Appeal operated on a modest scale, relying on grassroots volunteerism to coordinate small-scale projects focused on immediate relief, such as food distribution and basic support for vulnerable populations.[11] The charity's early activities prioritized building operational capacity in the UK while extending outreach to international crises, gradually expanding from local fundraising to structured appeals for disaster-affected regions.[9] This period laid the groundwork for sustainable development programs, with the organization methodically scaling efforts amid limited resources and a commitment to transparency in aid delivery.[12] By the early 2000s, Human Appeal had transitioned from its volunteer-led origins to formal incorporation as a limited company in 2004, enabling enhanced governance and growth in staff and project scope.[12] This evolution reflected incremental achievements in volunteer recruitment—reaching hundreds—and initial partnerships that supported broader emergency responses, though the core remained rooted in Manchester's community-driven ethos.[9]Growth and International Expansion
Human Appeal's operations expanded rapidly after its 1991 founding in Manchester, transitioning from localized UK efforts to international humanitarian interventions in multiple countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.[1] By 2015, the charity was active in 22 countries, delivering aid amid conflicts and disasters, supported by annual income growth that enabled scaled program delivery.[13] This period marked the establishment of field offices in key operational zones, such as Yemen starting in 2014 with initial activities in Aden before broader coverage.[14] Programmatic growth reflected organizational scale, with the orphan sponsorship initiative expanding 47% from 2020 to support over 18,000 children across 9 countries by the end of 2021.[15] Overall income reached £35.5 million in 2021, funding increased reach despite economic pressures.[15] By the early 2020s, Human Appeal operated in over 20 countries, maintaining over 173 staff in the UK, more than 100 international staff, and 887 volunteers to sustain global logistics.[3][16] International affiliate expansion included European branches in France, Spain, and Ireland, alongside UK offices in London, Birmingham, and Leicester, to bolster fundraising and coordination.[17] A major milestone occurred in March 2022, when Human Appeal inaugurated its US office during its 31st year, aiming to broaden donor access and domestic programming in North America.[18] In 2023, the organization deepened US integration by expanding volunteer networks and marking this as a pivotal step in global anchoring.[19] Further US growth continued into 2025, with new program locations established in Maryland and Virginia to enhance nationwide mobilization for relief efforts, building on prior reaches of over 6.2 million beneficiaries globally the previous year.[20][21] These developments supported emergency responses and sustainable projects in diverse regions, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, and others.[22]Mission and Principles
Stated Objectives and Operational Approach
Human Appeal describes its mission as a global humanitarian and development organization that saves lives, alleviates poverty, transforms and empowers local communities, while championing principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.[1] Its vision is to serve as the global agent of change for a just, caring, and sustainable world.[1] The organization operates with a faith-based foundation inspired by Islamic principles, yet extends aid impartially regardless of recipients' race, religion, or gender.[1] [3] Core values include excellence, accountability and transparency, compassion, justice, empowerment, trust, and respect, guiding efforts to combat poverty, social injustice, and natural disasters through both immediate relief and long-term, self-sustaining initiatives in areas such as healthcare, education, and livelihoods.[1] Operationally, Human Appeal maintains a presence in over 16 countries, enabling rapid deployment of emergency aid via land, air, or sea in response to crises, supplemented by year-round programs targeting hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations.[23] Aid delivery emphasizes local empowerment, with skilled teams of local staff managing projects to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability, such as healthcare facilities operated by regional doctors and nurses or community-driven livelihood programs.[24] This approach prioritizes transforming dependencies into self-reliance, adhering to humanitarian standards of neutrality to avoid favoring any side in conflicts and focusing aid on need alone.[1] The organization employs over 100 international staff and hundreds of volunteers, alongside rigorous policies like zero-tolerance for fraud and corruption to maintain transparency and effectiveness in resource allocation.[3] [25]Organizational Structure
Leadership and Governance
Human Appeal is structured as a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under number 1154288 since 2013, following a change from trust status in 2014.[26][19] The Board of Trustees holds ultimate responsibility for governance, directing strategy, overseeing operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance, financial transparency, and accountability.[27] Professor Kamil Omoteso serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, appointed in 2017; he is a Professor of Accounting and Governance at the University of Derby and founder of the Ethical Social Impact Finance Academy (ESIfA).[27] Other trustees include Omar Mashjari, an associate director and solicitor with a PhD in law; Dr. Ken Baldwin, appointed in December 2020, holding a PhD in Islamic contracts and experience in Islamic banking; Dr. Abdulrahman Alhefny, an emergency medicine specialist; Bilkis Shittu, appointed October 2024, an ACCA fellow providing accounting services; and Dr. Rajnaara Chowdhury Akhtar, appointed October 2024, a solicitor with a PhD in family law.[27][28] Executive leadership is headed by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mohamed Ashmawey, appointed in April 2019, who previously served as CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide and holds a PhD in mechanical engineering.[29] He is supported by a corporate leadership team including Deputy CEO Owais Khan, who oversees daily operations and digital initiatives, and divisional directors responsible for emerging markets, people and culture, community fundraising, international programmes, and performance and accountability.[29] In October 2021, the Charity Commission concluded a statutory inquiry into Human Appeal, identifying misconduct and mismanagement, including governance shortcomings that resulted in aid supplies being diverted to terrorists in Syria and breaches of local tax regulations in Greece and Turkey.[5][30] The organization responded by strengthening internal controls, risk management, and compliance processes, as detailed in subsequent annual reports.[19][31]
Global Offices and Networks
Human Appeal maintains its headquarters at 1 Cheadle Point, Carrs Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2BL, in the United Kingdom, with additional operational sites in Birmingham at 522 Stratford Road.[32][33] The organization employs over 173 staff members in the UK and more than 100 in its international offices as of recent reports.[3] Affiliate entities extend its presence abroad, including Human Appeal USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that expanded domestic operations with new sites in Maryland and Virginia in September 2025 to support nationwide humanitarian mobilization.[34][3] Human Appeal Canada operates as a parallel aid entity focused on global poverty alleviation.[11] In Australia, Human Appeal International Australia delivers humanitarian aid programs.[35] Human Appeal International, based in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Dubai and Ajman, coordinates charity and development activities internationally, including social, educational, and health initiatives.[36][37][38] The organization's networks rely on partnerships and local teams for field operations in over 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, India, Kenya, and Mozambique, though these primarily involve project implementation rather than permanent administrative offices.[22][39] This structure enables rapid response to crises while leveraging regional expertise, with 887 volunteers contributing globally.[3]Partnerships and Affiliations
Human Appeal maintains partnerships with international bodies including the United Nations World Food Programme, through which it coordinated the delivery of aid equivalent to 1.4 million hot meals in Gaza as of May 2024.[40][41] The organization has also collaborated with media outlets such as Al Jazeera to provide food, water wells, healthcare, and community resources during Ramadan campaigns.[42] In the United Kingdom, Human Appeal partners with entities like Bag2Charity for clothing donation initiatives, including the Door2Door program extending through July 2025, aimed at distributing warm clothing to vulnerable communities.[43] Its annual Wrap Up winter coat drive involves collaborations with SafeStore, Hands On London, Network Rail, and Bag2Charity, marking its 10th anniversary in September 2025 with expanded distribution efforts.[44] These domestic partnerships often include local public figures, such as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has participated in coat collection events. Internationally, Human Appeal has worked with U.S.-based nonprofit Globus Relief to distribute $2.5 million in aid for projects in Syria and Iraq, announced in January 2022.[46] In Australia, discussions for enhanced collaboration occurred with the Sudanese Ambassador in January 2025 to bolster aid efforts in Sudan.[47] In the United States, Human Appeal USA engages with mosques and community organizations to tailor domestic programs addressing local needs.[48] These affiliations support emergency relief and sustainable development, often involving local implementing partners in project execution.[15]Programs and Initiatives
Emergency Response Operations
Human Appeal's emergency response operations focus on delivering rapid humanitarian aid in the aftermath of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other crises, emphasizing immediate needs such as food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter, and hygiene kits. The organization maintains teams in 16 countries to enable swift deployment, often conducting rapid needs assessments before distributing targeted relief to affected populations. This approach is supported by the World in Crisis Fund, which facilitates preemptive funding for unforeseen emergencies, allowing responses before specific donor contributions arrive.[8][23] In recent operations, Human Appeal launched an emergency response following a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan on September 4, 2025, aiming to assist 17,500 survivors with food packs, hygiene kits, and medical aid. Similarly, on August 20, 2025, the organization initiated a campaign to provide 12,000 hot meals to flood victims in Pakistan amid flash flooding. In the United States, Human Appeal USA mobilized domestic relief efforts for Texas flood victims on July 18, 2025, including volunteer-driven distribution of essentials to reaffirm commitments to local disasters. These interventions typically prioritize vulnerable groups, including displaced families and children, with distributions scaled based on on-ground evaluations.[49][50][51] Ongoing conflict zones have also seen sustained emergency activities, such as in Gaza, where Human Appeal provides food, water, medical care, and education support under a dedicated appeal, though operations faced setbacks including the deaths of three aid workers on July 11, 2025. Historical responses include aid distribution to 2,000 families in Mosul, Iraq, in 2017 following conflict displacement, and food parcels to over 460 needy families in Yemen's Sana'a district in March 2017. In Myanmar, post-earthquake efforts delivered over 13,000 essential aid items to impacted regions. A 2025 academic analysis of Human Appeal's role in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Turkey highlighted its contributions to immediate relief and recovery, underscoring the organization's model of combining short-term aid with assessments for longer-term needs.[52][53][54][55][56][57]Sustainable Development Projects
Human Appeal's sustainable development projects prioritize long-term poverty reduction by building infrastructure, imparting skills, and distributing resources to promote self-sufficiency in communities across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These efforts target root causes such as inadequate water access, unemployment, and limited education, contrasting with short-term emergency aid by incorporating community training for ongoing maintenance and replication.[58] Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives form a core component, involving the construction of wells, boreholes, latrines, and desalination systems, coupled with hygiene training to prevent waterborne diseases and free up time for productive activities. In 2023, the organization installed 459 deep water wells in Bangladesh benefiting over 260,247 people, 260 wells in Nepal, 308 in Pakistan, and 9 in Togo serving thousands; it also established a desalination plant in Gaza producing 52,000 liters of clean water per hour for more than 370,000 individuals, and deployed 10 solar-powered reverse osmosis units in Pakistan aiding 6,019 people.[19] Livelihood programs equip participants with vocational training and tools for trades like beekeeping, tailoring, farming, and carpentry, enabling entry into local economies and sustained income. Reported 2023 activities include distributing 143 sewing machines in Pakistan for garment production, providing 8 pairs of milking goats to families in two Pakistani villages, supporting honey bee farming for 12 farmers in Jordan and 17 in Pakistan, and delivering kitchen gardening training and supplies to 165 families in Pakistan's Tharparkar district; thousands of men and women have benefited from such skill-building across marginalized communities.[19][58] Education projects emphasize safe learning environments through school infrastructure, orphan sponsorship covering essentials like food and materials, and psychosocial support to curb child labor and foster independence, reaching nearly 12,000 children globally. In 2023, five dedicated washroom facilities for girls were built in Pakistan, enhancing attendance for 1,500 students.[58][19] Healthcare efforts bolster clinics, hospitals, and mobile units with equipment, staff training, and services tailored to remote or conflict zones, improving maternal and child care. Examples from 2023 encompass ongoing support for Syria's Al Imaan Hospital treating 6,000 patients monthly and a mobile clinic in Somalia serving 22,000 people with integrated health training.[19] Collectively, these initiatives have transformed 66 villages in Pakistan since 2021, including 9 in 2023 benefiting 9,900 residents, through integrated approaches.[19]Regional Case Studies
In Yemen, Human Appeal has implemented emergency food, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions targeting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. A 2020 donor feedback report detailed distributions of food parcels, nutritional supplements, and medical services to over 100,000 beneficiaries across multiple governorates, with specific efforts in cholera prevention through water trucking and sanitation facilities serving 50,000 people. In Sanaa, the organization provided food aid to 468 vulnerable families in March 2017, focusing on staple commodities to address acute food insecurity exacerbated by blockades and violence. Additionally, partnerships supported 600 orphans in a Sanaa facility with educational materials, uniforms, and supplies as part of broader child welfare initiatives.[59][55][60] In Syria, operations since 2013 have emphasized survival aid during the civil war, including medical support at facilities like Al Imaan Hospital, food parcels for families, and mobile clinics in northern regions. By 2023, Human Appeal reported assisting over 70% of the population in need through distributions of hygiene kits, winter supplies, and rebuilding efforts for homes and water systems, with a focus on displaced mothers and children in conflict zones. Post-earthquake responses in 2023 extended to immediate relief in affected areas, leveraging pre-existing presence for rapid deployment of tents, food, and medical aid to thousands. Recent escalations in 2024 prompted increased aid convoys, including medical supplies to government ministries, amid renewed violence displacing additional populations.[61][62][63] Across East Africa, particularly Somalia and Sudan, Human Appeal has addressed famine driven by drought, conflict, and economic factors, distributing food parcels, livestock fodder, and water interventions to mitigate starvation risks for millions. In 2023 impact reporting, food security programs equipped families with training and assets like seeds and tools, benefiting communities facing escalating prices and displacement. Sudan emergency appeals since 2023 have included hot meals and nutritional support for IDPs in camps, with coordination efforts in areas like Al Zohoor village to link aid with local needs.[64][65][66] In South Asia, sustainable development projects include a honeybee farming initiative in Kashmir, launched to provide economic stability for farmers through apiary training and equipment, yielding honey production for local markets and income generation since the early 2020s. In Pakistan, post-2022 flood responses featured construction of flood-resistant homes and livelihoods support, aiding recovery for thousands displaced by monsoon devastation. These efforts integrate emergency relief with long-term resilience, such as orphan sponsorship programs serving over 23,000 children across 14 countries, including educational and housing aid in the region.[67][68]Impact and Evaluation
Reported Achievements and Metrics
Human Appeal reported assisting 4,366,480 people globally in 2023 through a combination of emergency relief, sustainable development, and seasonal initiatives.[19] The organization's total income for the year reached £56.2 million, reflecting a 31% increase from £43 million in 2022, with charitable expenditure totaling £33.4 million plus £7 million in gifts in kind.[19] In emergency response, Human Appeal claimed to have supported 2.3 million individuals amid seven major crises, including earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria (February 2023), Afghanistan, and Morocco, as well as floods in Libya.[19] The Emergency Fund raised £13 million, enabling rapid deployment of aid such as food, shelter, and medical supplies.[19] For sustainable development, the charity reported completing housing projects for 12,500 people in Syria's Al Zohoor and Al Yasameen villages, alongside transforming 66 villages in Pakistan (including nine new ones in 2023, benefiting 9,900 residents).[19] Water infrastructure efforts included installing 459 deep wells in Bangladesh, 260 in Nepal, and 308 in Pakistan, collectively serving 260,247 people.[19] Orphan sponsorship programs reached 21,592 children across 13 countries, providing essentials like food, education, and healthcare.[19] Seasonal campaigns, including Ramadan, Qurbani (Eid al-Adha), and winter appeals, reportedly aided 862,695 people, a 25% rise from the prior year; examples include distributing 20,908 coats in the UK.[19] Through 33 partnerships with 14 global entities like UNICEF and the Islamic Development Bank, an additional 1.12 million beneficiaries were supported via projects in nine countries focused on areas such as malnutrition prevention and healthcare.[19]| Category | Key Metric | Beneficiaries Reached (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Response | 7 crises addressed | 2.3 million |
| Sustainable Development | Water wells installed; villages transformed | 260,247 (water); 9,900 (Pakistan villages); 12,500 (Syria housing) |
| Orphan Sponsorship | Children sponsored in 13 countries | 21,592 |
| Seasonal Campaigns | Ramadan, Qurbani, winter aid | 862,695 |
| Partnerships | 33 projects in 9 countries | 1.12 million |