Kuwait City: The International Islamic Charity Organization (IICO) announced on Monday the successful implementation of 9,214 projects in the social, educational, developmental, and cultural fields across 56 countries in 2024. The total cost of these projects exceeded USD 73.5 million, benefiting more than six million people.
According to Kuwait News Agency, IICO's Deputy Director for Institutional Communication Ibrahim Al-Bader emphasized the pivotal role played by the organization's 33 volunteer teams and 711 volunteers, along with its 15 branches in the country and 11 offices abroad. These efforts were made in collaboration with local and international partners. The organization is working under a strategic vision extending until 2026, focusing on human development and empowerment in fields such as education, culture, social welfare, and economics, aiming to improve living conditions in the most communities in need.
Al-Bader detailed that IICO successfully implemented 276 social projects last year, with a total investment of over USD 26 million, impacting more than five million people in 34 countries. These social initiatives included Ramadan iftar meals, sacrificial animals, winter clothing, housing and home repairs, zakat al-fitr, support for disadvantaged families, medical care, orphan sponsorship, emergency relief, and the construction and equipping of health centers.
In terms of educational projects, Al-Bader stated that IICO carried out 102 projects in 21 countries, investing more than USD 27 million, which benefited 46,929 students, teachers, and administrative staff. These educational efforts involved building and equipping schools, covering tuition fees, sponsoring students and teachers, and providing school buses.
Within the cultural sector, the organization completed 177 projects valued at USD 11.81 million, benefiting 58,102 individuals in 43 countries. These projects included constructing mosques, establishing Islamic centers, organizing scientific conferences, supporting religious scholars, and promoting Quranic initiatives.
Al-Bader also highlighted the organization's focus on development and economic empowerment projects, crucial for transitioning vulnerable groups from aid dependency to productive work. Last year, IICO executed 8,659 development projects at a cost of USD 7.44 million in 29 countries, benefiting 695,623 people. These projects covered areas such as water, energy, agriculture, and small-scale business initiatives.
A unique project completed in December addressed learning difficulties among Syrian refugee and displaced students in Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon. This initiative aimed to mitigate educational losses caused by displacement through remedial programs and specialized curricula, benefiting over 15,000 students and 2,000 teachers. It was the first of its kind, providing detailed methodologies for diagnosing and treating learning difficulties, developed by 22 academic and technical teams, including 164 experts from 12 Arab universities.
IICO also launched the "Sanad" initiative to enhance humanitarian interventions and early recovery in Gaza. This initiative was coordinated with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and announced at the ninth Effective Partnership Conference, with nearly USD 2 billion in funding for shelter, health, education, and economic empowerment, supported by 147 organizations from 48 countries.
Al-Bader concluded by acknowledging the support of the country's leadership, the generosity of donors, and the dedication of IICO's staff and volunteers, as well as the contribution of local and international partners in turning the organization's goals into reality.