Islamic Relief UK and Newham Community Project team up to help some of the most vulnerable in London as the Project’s food bank usage doubles in just the last two months

Charity and project are deeply concerned by the rising levels of poverty as it plans to distribute food and essential items as part of the Islamic holiday of Eid-al-Adha (1), when Muslims give Qurbani (2) meat to those in need.

Islamic Relief UK supported Newham Community Project on Saturday 16 July to help over 1000 people with food and essential items, as families in London continue to struggle financially due to the increasing rising cost of living.

This is part of a wider initiative led by Islamic Relief UK involving 19 partners across the country to deliver food packs, Qurbani meat and Eid gifts to coincide with the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.

Newham Community Project are reporting that the number of people coming to their food bank has doubled in the last two months. The project has also seen an increase in domestic violence cases, which many families are telling them have been exacerbated by the stress of the cost-of-living crisis.

The Community Project is amongst a small minority who provide help and support to destitute families and individuals with no recourse to public funds, including international students and their families who must also pay very high education fees. They have seen a stark increase in the numbers of families accessing food banks – with food bank usage doubling in just the last two months.

With no resources to public funds or assistance, families often live in overcrowded, confined accommodations, adding pressure to existing circumstances.

Many people have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis, especially low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, people who are homeless, asylum seekers and refugees.

The food packs contained items such as rice, pasta, flour, oil, sugar, salt, canned tuna, tomatoes, vegetables, rice pudding, canned soup, cereals and biscuits.

Elyas Ismail, Chief Operating Officer, Newham Community Project said: “The cost of living rise in the UK has had a devastating impact on families with young children. Following the last lockdown we saw our foodbank queues decrease, and assumed the economy was slowly but surely recovering.

“Now with the rise in energy bills having a devastating impact on the global cost of living, recovering families of the pandemic are forced to turn back to charities for support, and seek foodbank assistance to feed their families.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said: “It’s truly shocking to learn that Newham Community Project has seen the number of people coming to their food bank double in just the last two months and triple since the start of this year.

“Families in the UK are struggling to put food on the table as a result of the cost of living crisis and things are getting worse.

“Islamic Relief UK will partner with Newham Community project to bring food and Eid gifts for children to families who have been struggling during this crisis.”

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact: Jonaid Jilani: 07872 403534;

1. The month of Dhul Hijjah is one of the holiest periods of the Islamic year, when two very special events (Hajj and Eid ul Adha) take place. Hajj in Islam is a sacred pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy mosque Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month in the Islam calendar. As Muslims, undertaking Hajj in Islam – is a spiritual duty, as long as they are financially, physically and emotionally able to do so. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). In remembrance of his sacrifice and to help the poor and needy, Muslim give Qurbani.

2. Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God. In 2022, Qurbani distributions will aim to reach more people than ever before. After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need.

Newham Community Project (NCP) has been established since 2008. It is a grassroots charity organisation (registered charity: 1128596) run by concerned volunteers of Newham being involved in many projects through the years.

Since their inception, they have been involved in many charitable and social enterprise projects, addressing the community’s needs. More recently, throughout the covid pandemic, Newham Community Project has filled gaps in the needs of the community left vulnerable and destitute with no recourse to public funds. They have been running a food bank to help reduce food poverty; offer mental wellbeing support; increase employability; offer workshops for mental health training, resilience training, improved writing skills workshops; help families and individuals overcome inequalities; provide necessities to families and pregnant ladies; work with Newham Council as Covid Champions, Under 5’s Pathway Champions, Newham Food Alliance, Social Welfare Alliance, the Community Assembly Project to reduce Crime in East Ham Central, East Ham South and Wall End and are participating in the Newham Heritage Month 2022. They have also been helping with academic needs; aiding international students with no recourse to public funds; resolving institutional problems; working with UKVi to overcome student issues; work with universities to address any adversities and inequalities faced by international students.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.