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DALLAS, TX August 27, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed fresh meat for 308,008 meals to impoverished families in poverty-stricken and conflict-ridden regions around the world during the Islamic holiday season of sacrifice known as Udhiyah.
Approximately 16,504 families received portions of meat from cows, goats and other livestock in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Turkey and Yemen.
Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, said that while the need in these countries has been on the rise, so has the compassion of donors.
“Many of the families we help have been hit by tragedy after tragedy,” Sohail said. “Each package of meat served more than food; it also provided a glimmer of hope to those who’ve had little to look forward to in this difficult year.”
According to the United Nations, acute food insecurity has soared 40 percent this year due to conflict, climate change, rising food prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting a record 270 million people. The World Health Organization estimates that more than two billion people worldwide suffer from “hidden hunger,” defined as a deficiency in nutrients such as iron, zinc, and folic acid from a lack of diversity in diets.
For those struggling with extreme poverty and food insecurity, having meat to eat is a rare occurrence. In many Muslim-majority countries, nutrient-rich meat is often procured through charitable gifts on occasions like the Udhiyah. This year, Baitulmaal distributed approximately 54 tons of fresh, locally-sourced meat on behalf of donors wishing to fulfill the Islamic traditions of sacrifice, charity, and good-will towards others.
In addition to seasonal Islamic giving programs, Baitulmaal coordinates emergency aid efforts, water, hygiene and sanitation projects, orphan support programs and other humanitarian aid to under-served populations regardless of faith or nationality. To learn more or donate to these programs, visit Baitulmaal.org.
Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan.
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