News & Updates – Page 19 – John Janney Foundation

Posted on January 27, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

1,000 Families in Lebanon Receive Emergency Food Aid

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BEIRUT, LEBANON, January 27, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed food packages to 1,000 impoverished Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families in Lebanon.

Families living in Beirut, Beqaa, Saida in south Lebanon and Akkar in the north received food packages that contained staples such as rice, flour, oil, beans, lentils, pasta and sugar. According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, recipients included widows, disabled persons or refugee families.

“Many people in Lebanon have been impacted by the economic collapse,” Sohail said. “The most vulnerable among them – the sick, old, and unemployed – simply won’t survive without humanitarian intervention, which highlights why our donors are so important to families struggling in Lebanon.”

Approximately 78 percent of the Lebanese population has fallen into poverty, according to the World Bank. A catastrophic port explosion combined with a global pandemic and political turmoil has made food and services unaffordable for a majority of Lebanon’s 6.8 million residents, including nearly half a million Palestinian refugees and 1.5 million Syrian refugees living in refugee camps in Lebanon.

Baitulmaal responded to the devastating port blast in 2020, sent $1.2 million in hard-to-find medications and another $1.1 million in medical equipment to Beirut hospitals, reconstructed homes and buildings, installed generators and wells, and provided food packages to alleviate hunger. If you would like to learn more or contribute to these programs at Baitulmaal, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian nonprofit that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices and representatives in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan.

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Posted on January 25, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

31,000 Syrians Gain Access to Water, Bathrooms

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TELL ABYAD, SYRIA, January 21, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently completed the construction of wells and renovation of school bathrooms in five camps in Tell Abyad, Syria that benefit 31,259 people, including 4,200 children.

The schools are located in five areas in northern Syria that are home to approximately 160,000 displaced Syrians. They are:

Al Saoura School, which serves 550 students
Al Maksoura School, which serves 700 students
Kormaza School, which serves 950 students
Jahjah School, which serves 1200 students
Al Gurun School, which serves 800 students

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, many of these schools were inoperable due to the lack of water and sanitation.

“Renovating the school facilities enables children to return to a healthy environment conducive to learning,” Sohail said. “The wells are also accessible to area residents who have been struggling with water shortages. These two improvements combine to improve the lives of displaced Syrians in Tell Abyad.”

Construction was slightly delayed due to snowfall in the region, which has impacted many of the nearly 6.7 million Syrians that are internally displaced. According to the UN, 90 percent live in poverty, and more than 70 percent are without regular access to safe drinking water. Approximately 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed, leaving over 2 million children out of school.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground in Syria mobilizing aid after destructive storms, delivering food, digging wells, supporting orphans, helping students and bringing joy through the distribution of zakat, clothing and gifts. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Syria, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on January 21, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

1,500 Indians Receive Winter Warmth

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BIHAR, INDIA, January 21, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently distributed winter supplies to 1,500 people impacted by floods in northeastern India.

Families in Masurya, Mahalgaon, Baturbari and Belwa villages in the Araria district of Bihar received heaters, blankets, clothing and shoes to protect against winter weather, which can dip as low as 0 degrees celsius in this region. Many of these families rely on humanitarian assistance, according to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal.

“Natural disasters like recent floods and the ongoing pandemic have pushed more people into poverty in this region,” Sohail said. “Many caregivers just can’t afford winter items for their families, which makes me so thankful for our donors’ winter gifts.”

According to the World Bank, Bihar has one of the most densely populated areas of poor people in the world. Subsistence agriculture is the main source of income for approximately 70 percent of the population, but COVD-19 lockdowns impacted mobility during crucial harvest seasons. Frequent flooding further contributed to difficulties faced by 76 percent of the population.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground delivering food assistance and winter aid to impoverished families in India. If you would like to learn more or contribute to these programs at Baitulmaal, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on January 18, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

20,000 Palestinians Benefit from Clean Water Tanks in Gaza

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GAZA, PALESTINE, January 18, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently completed the delivery and set-up of 100 water tanks in the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of water tanks the charity operates in the area to 400.

Each tank provides access to free, clean water to approximately 50 individuals, or 7 families, throughout the year for an estimated 20,000 total beneficiaries.

The tanks are located in the following areas:

North governorate: (Beit Hanoun, Jablia Camp, Abraj Al Nada)
Gaza governorate: (Moghraqa, Al Zatoon)
Middle governorate: (Al Brouk, Um Dhair, Al Maghazi camp, Al Sawarha, Al Zawiada, Wadi Al Salqa, Deir Al Balah camp, Al Buraij refugees, Al Nusierat camp, Joher Al Diek)
Khan Younis governorate: (Nahr Al Bared)
Rafah governorate: (the Swedish Village, Al Mawasi)

Tanks are refilled weekly, according to Baitulmaal program manager Elizabeth Sohail, and may be refilled more frequently depending on need.

“Without these tanks, many families have no other choice but to drink from polluted sources, putting their health at risk.” Sohail said. “Access to safe, potable water is a basic right, and these tanks deliver on that promise.”

Human rights experts recently warned that water in Gaza is “slowly poisoning” its residents. Water pollution is a leading cause of child mortality and accounts for a quarter of all illnesses in the area. Approximately 98% of groundwater is unfit to drink — often contaminated by sewage or seawater. According to the UN, only 10 percent of Gazans have access to safe drinking water.

Baitulmaal provides food, water, medicine, healthcare, and other aid to people in Palestine. If you would like to learn more or contribute to these programs at Baitulmaal, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on January 13, 2022March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

5,200 Yemenis Benefit From New Deep Water Well

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ADEN, YEMEN, January 13, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian nonprofit, recently completed the construction of a deep water well in the Ma’asher camp that provides clean, safe water to 5,200 Yemenis.

The deep water well supplies potable water to approximately 600 displaced and vulnerable families in the Marib governorate. According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, this area of Yemen suffers from water scarcity, aging infrastructure and other harmful impacts of war and extreme poverty.

“This camp has seen an influx of newly displaced people, and access to water has been a major challenge,” Sohail said. “This new deep water well provides clean, piped water and can potentially improve the overall health of struggling Yemenis.”

In 2000, the World Bank stated that Yemen was experiencing a “dire and worsening water situation.” Since then, conflict, climate change, a cholera epidemic and a global pandemic have left the country’s residents, many of whom are internally displaced, increasingly vulnerable. According to the UN, over 80 percent of the population relies on humanitarian aid, and more than half of the population does not have access to clean water.

Since 2018, Baitulmaal has sent over $10.6 million in aid that provided meals, antibiotics, medical supplies, winter relief, water, hygiene kits and COVID-19 assistance to Yemen. If you would like to learn more or contribute to the emergency aid programs at Baitulmaal, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on January 10, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

More Than 400 Afghan Families Provided Winter Essentials

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KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, January 10, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed winter aid to more than 400 impoverished families in Afghanistan ahead of the winter season.

Food and non-food items such as blankets, clothing, shoes, firewood, charcoal and soap were distributed to approximately 3,200 displaced and poor Afghans in Kabul. A majority of the recipients were women and children.

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, these families have been impacted by the recent unrest in Afghanistan and are attempting to reintegrate into their communities amid the instability.

“Many families returned to their homes but are struggling to keep warm and buy food,” Sohail said. “Staples such as rice, cooking oil and firewood are blessings during these difficult times.”

A recent UN report estimates that 98 percent of the Afghan population will be living in poverty by the middle of 2022, up from a current poverty rate of 72 percent. Approximately 23 million Afghans are facing extreme levels of hunger, with nearly nine million at risk of famine this year.

In addition to providing food and other aid, Baitulmaal has been working with the Afghan-American-founded Education and Occupation Committee (EOC) to evacuate Afghans and implement economic development projects. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Afghanistan, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the charity has offices and representatives in: Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Nairobi, Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Amman and Al Ramtha, Jordan; and Karachi, Pakistan.

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Posted on January 5, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

1,000 Gazans Receive Winter Warmth

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GAZA, PALESTINE, January 5, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed winter aid to more than 1,000 impoverished Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

Two hundred families in the Khan Younis and Middle Governorates received heavy blankets, electric heaters and winter clothing to protect against frigid temperatures in the region. Many of the recipients are among the poorest families living in marginalized camp communities and include vulnerable members such as orphans and the elderly.

“We must do everything we can to keep these families warm this winter,” said Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal. “They are already living in extreme hardship. Having these winter essentials is crucial to their health and safety.

According to the UN, more than 75 percent of Gazans rely on humanitarian aid. Approximately 2 million Palestinians are food insecure, with more than 1.4 million residing in Gaza. With high unemployment and poor housing conditions, thousands of Gazan families face increased suffering during the winter months.

Baitulmaal provides food, clothing, education support, emergency aid and healthcare in Palestine. The charity also operates 300 water tanks in Gaza and is adding 100 more this year. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Palestine, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on January 3, 2022March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

Syrian Children, Refugee Families and Schools Prepared for Winter

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TELL ABYAD, SYRIA, January 3, 2022 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed winter clothing to 491 Syrian children, shelter kits to 1,015 refugee families and fuel to warm 21 schools that serve displaced and impoverished students.

Winter relief efforts for recently displaced Syrians arriving in the border town of Urfa included blankets, clothing, shoes and food. Two hundred families in the Karama Camp were furnished with area mats to keep them dry and protected from the cold, and another 815 families in Idlib and the Northern Syrian countryside also received blankets, mats and pillows.

In addition to the aid distributions, 21 schools in Tell Abyad were provided 200 liters of diesel fuel each to keep schools warm, including:

Zainab School
Ali Baglia Eastern School
Sabbagh’s School
Sukkari Primary School
Al-Sukaria Preparatory School
Ain Arous School
Kormazah Middle School
Directorate of the Northern Turkmen School
Western Turkmen School
Abu Bakr Al Siddiq School
Jurn Hajj Saleh School
Al Afaf School
Abdul Karim Koussa School
Salem Al Marei School
Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi School
Martyr Mahmoud School
Khader Durai School
Ibn Khaldun School
Hill Half Preparatory School
Hill Primary School

Many of the children who received coats, sweaters, pants and shoes are orphaned Syrians living in the camp settlements near the Syrian/Turkish border, according to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal.

“Having a warm jacket and comfortable classroom to attend keeps these children hopeful,” Sohail said. “Otherwise, the days are long, cold and difficult to endure.”

Syria has been embroiled in a decade-long civil war that has left more than 6.7 million Syrians internally displaced and another 6.6 million refugees in neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Almost half of those who are displaced are children, according to the U.N. Most have been out of school at some point, sometimes for years.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground in Syria mobilizing aid after destructive storms, delivering food, digging wells, supporting orphans, helping students and bringing joy through the distribution of zakat, clothing and gifts. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Palestine, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/.

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Posted on December 30, 2021March 17, 2026 by johnjanney

365 Displaced Syrian Families Receive Winter Warmth

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IDLIB, SYRIA, December 30, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed winter aid to 365 displaced families in northern Syria ahead of the winter season.

Field workers distributed blankets, mats, pillows and clothing in three camp communities in the Maa’rat Masrin sub-district. The camps were established after a displacement wave between August and October of 2021. According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, many of the newly arrived Syrians are women, young children, elderly or disabled individuals with very limited resources.

“So many displaced Syrians came to these makeshift camps with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Sohail said. “We are trying to reach as many people as we can with winter essentials before the cold does.”

Last year marked 10 years of the Syrian crisis that has left more than 6 million internally displaced and another 6 million as refugees. An estimated 13.4 million people living within Syria – including those who are internally displaced – are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Baitulmaal has been on the ground in Syria mobilizing aid after destructive storms, delivering food, digging wells, supporting orphans, helping students and distributing seasonal aid. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.

Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to people in need around the world. With headquarters in Texas, the charity has domestic offices and representatives in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey as well as international offices in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

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Posted on December 27, 2021March 18, 2026 by johnjanney

385 Families in Lebanon Receive Winter Warmth

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SIDON, LEBANON, December 27, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed winter aid to 385 Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese families residing in impoverished communities and refugee camps in Lebanon.

The families, mostly refugees, received food and winter essentials such as clothing, shoes, blankets and electric heaters. The aid was distributed to families living in tents and other non-permanent shelters in Arsal as well as Ein el Helwe in Sidon, which is considered to be Lebanon’s most heavily populated refugee camp.

According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, these families have been struggling with severe food insecurity and have been unable to meet basic needs. While many experienced hardship before the financial crisis struck the country nearly two years ago, these families have now been pushed under the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket, a tool used by the World Food Programme to measure the minimum amount a household requires to maintain existence and cover lifesaving needs.

“We needed to ensure that these families had enough food and warmth to make it through the winter,” Sohail said. “It gets very cold in Lebanon and with the country struggling as a whole, it’s crucial we address the needs of the most vulnerable. We are so grateful for our donors who have enabled us to do so.”

Political instability, an ongoing pandemic, a catastrophic explosion and an influx of refugees from countries like Syria have contributed to Lebanon’s strained financial situation. The World Bank recently declared that the country is “likely to rank in the top 10, possibly top three, most severe crisis episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century.” Approximately 1 in 4 people in Lebanon is a refugee, giving Lebanon the highest per capita refugee population in the world.

Baitulmaal was on the ground in Lebanon responding to the devastating port blast in 2020, and has sent $1.2 million in hard-to-find medications and another $1.1 million in medical equipment to Beirut hospitals. The charity also reconstructed homes and buildings, installed generators and wells, and provided food packages to alleviate hunger. If you would like to learn more about or contribute to Baitulmaal’s efforts in Lebanon, please visit their website at johnjanney.org/

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