Ramadhan Food Parcels to Sri Lanka

Ramadhan Food Parcels were distributed in tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka as part of Islamic Relief’s Seasonal Programme this year. One food parcel helps to feed a family for an entire month. Last year over 3,500 food parcels helped 12,500 people in Sri Lanka.

This is the second year that Abdul Raheem will receive the parcel. He lives in Nintavur, on the east coast of the island. This region was badly affected by the tsunami in December 2004. Almost two years later, many people still live in refugee camps, damaged housing or with host families.

Daily life

Abdul Raheem lives with his wife and two daughters, three-year-old Rizniya and nine-month-old Sadeesa.  He also supports his widowed sister-in-law and her family.

Abdul Raheem works as a casual labourer. Every morning he goes to the paddy fields or the harbour to look for work. Abdul does not return until around 8 pm, “I have very little time to spend with my family,” he says.

Food Parcel

The food parcel was very useful for Abdul Raheem and his family, “It helped me at a time when my income was very low and I was unable to provide good food for my family. We could not afford to buy all these food items at one time.”

Abdul Raheem urged IR to continue distributing food parcels. “This programme should continue in Ramadhan, so that the poor can enjoy the food and fast peacefully. [Ramadhan] makes me feel pure in mind and I feel healthy.”

Ramadhan

Like Abdul Raheem, 55-year-old Mohamed Haifa also struggles to provide for his family. He is looking forward to receiving a food parcel for the first time. “The food pack is very important as it helps the poor to find some solace in Ramadhan,” Mohamed tells IR staff.

 “Islamic Relief is doing a wonderful job by giving food packs, especially in Ramadan. May Allah bless them.”

 Related article: Thousands Displaced in Sri Lanka Conflict