DUBAI — As its global Ramadan campaign ‘Every Gift Counts’ comes to a close, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has secured lifesaving support for 8,141 refugee and internally displaced families (approximately 41,000 persons) across the world for one year. Exceeding its set target, funds collected through this campaign and through the Refugee Zakat Fund will provide vital support, such as cash and in-kind assistance, shelter, medicine and clean water to vulnerable families including orphans, female-headed households, and the elderly residing in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, as well as Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Malian refugees in Mauritania “We are grateful for the immense support and generosity of individuals, partners, the media, and public personalities who came together to answer our call to share the gift of giving and kindness with refugees and displaced families during Ramadan. “This example of solidarity has been heart-warming for the entire UNHCR team and solidifies our belief that when you bring people together, you can create substantial impact.” stated Houssam Chahine, UNHCR’s chief of private sector partnerships in MENA. Launched at the beginning of Ramadan to raise awareness and funds for the most vulnerable refugee and internally displaced families worldwide, the ‘Every Gift Counts’ campaign aimed at preventing more people from slipping deeper into poverty, especially in light of the COVID-19 crisis. “As we face this global economic downturn, we have witnessed an increase in empathy and public support for the most vulnerable amongst us,” stated Chahine. “This year’s Holy Month was especially difficult for the world’s most marginalised communities who are already struggling to make ends meet,” he added. While global communities have come together this Ramadan in support of displaced and refugees around the world, UNHCR is still in need of additional financial support to help even more families survive during these challenging times. UNHCR has appealed for $745 million in funds for its urgent push to curb the risk and lessen the economic and health impact of COVID-19 outbreaks in vulnerable communities. In addition to its global Ramadan campaign, the UN Refugee Agency is reaching those most in need with direct lifesaving and dignified assistance through its Refugee Zakat Fund. Since its launch in 2019, the fund has assisted more than one million vulnerable beneficiaries globally. — SG