April 16, 2025
April 16, 2025
Supporters of Zamzam UK played their part for the first time in Zamzam Foundation’s relief efforts during Ramadan 2025 – efforts which this year brought vital food aid, dignity and Eid joy to over 223,000 Somalis.
The 223,000 Somalis supported by Zamzam in Ramadan included:
“Ramadan 2025 was the first Ramadan since we launched Zamzam UK in 2024 to raise funds and raise awareness for Zamzam Foundation’s lifesaving and life-changing work across Somalia,” says Tahir Tahir, Chair of Zamzam UK’s board of trustees.
“It’s been exciting to see donors in the UK responding to our first Ramadan fundraising appeal and our advertising on the Islam Channel and Universal TV to support the provision of food packs, iftar meals, Eid gifts and Zakat al-Fitr for Somalis in need. I want to thank everyone who has donated.
“We owe so much to the Zamzam teams on the ground, who worked tirelessly to deliver aid to those most in need while fasting themselves. They have been supported by donors and partners around the world, helping to give so many families facing hardship a Ramadan filled with compassion and care.”
Zamzam’s Ramadan relief effort focused mainly on the crowded camps for displaced people around the capital, Mogadishu, but also extended to a wide range of other areas including parts of Banadir, Southwest, Galmudug, Somaliland, and Hirshabelle.
A total of 15,121 food packs were distributed to displaced and vulnerable families, orphans, and the elderly. Each pack enabled its recipients to prepare their own food for weeks at a time or for the entirety of Ramadan, providing vital nourishment for more than 90,000 hungry and malnourished people.
Zamzam also served 120,000 iftar meals in displacement camps located on the outskirts of Mogadishu and Baidoa. These meals played a crucial role not only in easing hunger but also in restoring a sense of dignity and strengthening community ties as people gathered together to break their fasts.
Eid gifts in the form of new clothes were distributed to 1,870 orphans and other vulnerable children. For these children, such gifts represent so much more than just new clothing: they mean a chance to celebrate Eid with joy and to feel a sense of belonging, despite the hardships their families are facing.
Zamzam also ensured that 1,788 families (amounting to over 10,000 people) received Zakat al-Fitr, through a mix of cash assistance and food. Cash assistance was provided to 582 households, while 1,206 families were given food to help them meet their immediate needs.
All Zamzam’s interventions are based on rigorous needs assessments to identify those who need most support. Before any aid is delivered, the team listens to the needs of the community, observes local conditions, and identifies where resources will have the greatest impact. This process ensures that donations are used effectively, making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Divorced and abandoned by her husband, and unable to make a reliable income from farming because of conflict and climate change, Habibo left her home village with her eight children and settled in a displaced people’s camp in Baidoa.
Zamzam staff identified Habibo’s family as a priority when they carried out needs assessments shortly before Ramadan. During the holy month the Zamzam team on the ground returned to deliver food packs to all 900 families in the camp where Habibo lives, bringing hope in the midst of despair.
“The incredible impact we have seen this Ramadan was made possible by the collective efforts of so many donors and partners,” says Tahir Tahir. “Each donation, no matter how small, played a part in ensuring that many thousands of Somalis were able to feel less isolated during Ramadan. Together we have demonstrated how we can reach out with love and support as a global community – one meal, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.”
While Ramadan may have ended, the spirit of giving needs to be sustained to fuel Zamzam’s mission.The United Nations says over six million Somalis depend on humanitarian aid to survive.
Zamzam UK donors can continue to support those in the greatest need through our emergency fund .