Human Appeal International

Human Appeal

Founded	1991 in Manchester
Type	International NGO
Focus	Conflict Zones, Sustainable Livelihoods, Education, Health & Nutrition, Orphans and Child Welfare, Water Sanitation & Hygiene, Emergency Relief, Integrated Development.
Location	Victoria Court, 376 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6AX, UK
Area served	Worldwide
Website	humanappeal.org.uk

Human Appeal International is a British international development and relief charity based in Manchester. It was established in 1991.^[1]

As registered by the United Kingdom Charity Commission the charity's goals include:

"The prevention or relief of poverty anywhere in the world by providing grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty."

The charity is made up of a diverse staff and works in 25 countries. It runs targeted poverty relief programmes in the following areas:

• Emergency response – providing humanitarian aid and responding to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. In particular, the charity specialises in water purification and sanitation systems, food security, and building large shelters.

• Sustainable development – concentrating on poverty alleviation, income generation, skills and training, education (both building schools and curriculum development), health (maternal health and child health) and gender equality.

Patronage

Human Appeal is a patron of Mosaic Network, an organisation founded by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2007 which inspires young people from deprived communities to realise their talents and potential.^[2]

Celebrity support

Human Appeal has had a wide variety of celebrity support, most notably from past and present footballers from English Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal. This includes the likes of Eden Hazard, John Terry, Branislav Ivanović, Demba Ba, Samuel Eto'o and Abou Diaby supporting Human Appeal's children's projects in Senegal.^[3]

Offices

Human Appeal has offices in the UK (Manchester, London, Birmingham and Leicester), France, Spain and Ireland.

Although it shares the one founder and organisational name, it is a separate organisation from Human Appeal Australia^[4] and Human Appeal UAE.^[5]

Memberships and Key Partnerships

Human Appeal is a member of Bond (the UK membership body for non-governmental organisations working in international development).^[6] It is a member of the Muslim Charities Forum.^[7]

Human Appeal states that its key partners include the World Food Programme, UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF and many others.

Orphan Sponsorship

Human Appeal has a large Orphan sponsorship programme which currently supports thousands of orphans around the world. Sponsorship is paid directly to the beneficiaries, providing them with food, clothing and school equipment.

Othman Moqbel

Othman Moqbel has been Chief Executive of Human Appeal since the end of 2010. In that time the charity has grown its reach and effectiveness significantly. Its annual income has grown from £3 million to just over £30 million, making it one of the UK’s fastest growing charities.

Previously, he served as a Facilitator for youth leadership and development courses students.

He is a member of the European Network of Civil Society Leaders (EUCLAID^[8]) and the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO^[9]). In spring 2015 ACEVO's CEO Sir Stephen Bubb visited Pakistan and in the winter of 2016 he visited Lebanon with Othman to see Human Appeal's substantial relief and development operations.^[10]

In November 2015 he was awarded an ACEVO Fellowship.^[11]

Recent International Projects and Local Commitment

Since 2011 Human Appeal amongst other British Muslim Charities has been a strong supporter of Syrian refugees. Human Appeal International has been providing monthly deliveries of flour for hundreds of bakeries in Syria, thousands of blankets, heaters, tents and charcoal - helping where help is most urgently needed. British Muslim Charities have raised nearly £250million in response to the crisis.^[12]

But Human Appeal’s refugee work does not stop in Syria. In early 2016 the Isle of Man for example has donated £30.000 to support Human Appeal’s work on the island of Lesbos which has become a main access point of Syrian refugees arriving in Europe.^[13]

In March 2016 Human Appeal has completed a three-month project during which four Gaza universities were rebuilt and £227,000 contributed. Human Appeal also provided a wider variety of support to the universities and their students, including upgrading IT facilities, financial support for students unable to pay fees, and new lab equipment.^[14]

Besides many long term projects Human Appeal is also known for its fast response to crises. After the floods in North England the Bradford District Council for example was supported during the clearing up process in late 2015.^[15]

In January 2016 Human Appeal worked with the Slough Khidman Community Trust providing winter survival kits - backpacks containing gloves, blankets and dental floss for homeless people to stay warm in the winter.^[16] Later that year, in October 2016, Human Appeal announced the Wrap Up Manchester campaign asking the Greater Manchester public to donate unwanted winter coats to help people in need through the cold months. Donated coats will be distributed to homeless shelters, refugee centres, elderly organisations, and other charities in November. First call outs indicate that over 500 people are in need of a winter coat in Manchester alone. ^[17]

Allegations

Alleged links to the funding of terrorism made by the Jewish Chronicle in 2012 were withdrawn and an apology was issued after being deemed completely false and deemed a politically motivated attack on Islam.

In 2009 the Charity Commission cleared Human Appeal International of all alleged connections to the Union of Good (an international network designated a terrorist organisation by the US) and the case was then closed.^[18]

Awards and Nominations

In 2013 Human Appeal were awarded the International Charity Award at the Global Peace & Unity Festival.

In January 2015, Human Appeal was shortlisted for the Charity of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.^[19]

External links

• Official website

References