December 2015 has been recently dubbed as the wettest month ever recorded in the UK. It is no surprise that this was largely in the wake of Britain being hit by high tides, floods and strong winds, causing much damage and unrest, especially in the northern England and Wales. On the 5th of December, Britain witnessed Storm Desmond devastate parts of Cumbria with more than a month’s rain, leading to flooding in Carlisle and other areas. 7 days later, over 70 flood warnings were issued, there was more heavy rain, and the river levels remained high. December continued with the more than 100 flood alerts and warnings issued across England and Wales, Storm Eva bringing more torrential rain, evacuations of residents in West Yorkshire and Lancashire, and floods hitting Leeds, Greater Manchester and York.

Alhamdulillah, during the course of these natural disasters, AKF’s regional offices have been well situated and supplied in their ability to provide relief and emergency support to the flood victims in northern England. With the support of over a hundred volunteers, we have been on the ground establishing manual set ups and providing much-needed supplies. AKF was also able to help clean up the flood using vital equipment and supplies, and distributing food to flood victims in Bolton, Rochdale and Cumbria. Alhumdulilah we have helped over 500 families across Rochdale in the Boxing Day floods that swept through the streets. AKF’s Chairman and Founder Imam Qasim has also been personally visiting flood affected areas in York and Tadcaster.

Despite the continuing natural disasters devastating particular areas around the world, it is important for us to reflect and learn from these events. At Al-Khair Foundation, we believe that it is our duty to help all of our fellow brothers and sisters in humanity at home and around the world. We are all blessed with particular resources, skills and abilities, which we must be grateful for. In doing so, we must make full use of these gifts and collaborate with others in unity to provide help to those in need whenever disaster strikes.

Furthermore, the increase in natural disasters around the world is a truly a grave consequence of climate change. It is also our Islamic duty to protect and look after the earth that we have been trusted with. In order to provide sustainable and long lasting help to those in need, we must tackle the root cause of natural disasters that are likely to impact them. Therefore, we must also strive to tackle climate change, which underpins poverty, injustice and natural disasters, and work together to achieve this. Al-Khair Foundation therefore looks forward to attending the workshop on UN’s Sustainable Development goals hosted by the Muslim Charities Forum and Islamic Relief, and looks forward to partaking in future action against climate change.