Human Appeal

Human Appeal is a British international development and relief charity founded in Manchester in 1991. Its core mission is to save lives, alleviate poverty, and empower local communities while championing humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. The organization's vision is to become a global agent of change for a just, caring, and sustainable world.

The charity provides a wide range of services, including emergency relief, sustainable development programs, healthcare, education, livelihoods support, orphan sponsorship, food security, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Human Appeal operates in over 25 countries worldwide, with a focus on regions in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, in addition to its work within the UK.

Dr. Mohamed Ashmawey has served as the Chief Executive Officer since April 2019, and was recognized with the "Humanitarian Hero of the Year Award 2022." In April 2026, Human Appeal announced its annual Qurbani food distribution program, which provided over 3.5 million meals last year, and introduced a new Kabsa Qurbani specifically designed for emergency conditions in Gaza. Human Appeal USA, an American affiliate, initiated an internal review in February 2026 concerning payments to an influencer for fundraising services, following scrutiny of its 2024 tax filing.

Latest updates

Human Appeal's Kabsa Innovation Addresses Food Security in Crisis Zones

Event summary

  • Human Appeal's Qurbani campaign distributes food during Eid ul-Adha, aiming to provide over 3.5 million meals this year.
  • The charity has run the Qurbani program for 35 years, reaching over 1.1 million beneficiaries last year.
  • A new 'Kabsa Qurbani' initiative will provide ready-to-eat meals specifically for Gaza and Lebanon, each containing 300g of lamb and rice with a 1.5-year shelf life.
  • UK donors can direct contributions to 20 countries, including those experiencing conflict and displacement.

The big picture

Human Appeal's Qurbani campaign exemplifies the growing need for specialized humanitarian aid in regions facing protracted crises. The introduction of Kabsa Qurbani highlights a shift towards more sustainable and culturally appropriate food solutions, moving beyond traditional aid models. With approximately 2 billion Muslims participating in Qurbani annually, the scale of this initiative underscores the significant role faith-based organizations play in global food security.

What we're watching

Operational Scale
The success of the Kabsa Qurbani program hinges on Human Appeal's ability to maintain production and distribution logistics in volatile conflict zones, potentially straining existing resources.
Donor Dependency
The charity's reliance on UK donors exposes it to fluctuations in economic conditions and shifting philanthropic priorities, which could impact future funding levels.
Geopolitical Risk
Expanding operations into conflict-affected regions like Gaza and Lebanon increases exposure to political instability and security risks, potentially disrupting aid delivery and endangering personnel.
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