Page 22 – John Janney Foundation

Posted on January 13, 2022August 19, 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/.

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 10, 2022August 19, 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, 2022August 19, 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, 2022August 19, 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, 2021August 19, 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, 2021August 19, 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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Posted on December 21, 2021August 19, 2026 by johnjanney

First Charity NFT Islamic Art Gallery Opens December 26 in Chicago

Chicago, December 21, 2021 – Four Muslim artists are featured in the Giving is Beautiful charity art gallery opening on December 26, 2021, at the MAS-ICNA convention being held at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Artists Ruby Jaffrey, Shayma Al-Shiri, Qasim Arif and Mustafa Horton each contributed three original artworks ranging in style from Arabic calligraphy, calligraphy-themed art, abstract realism and abstract art. Each artist minted non-fungible tokens for their artwork on the popular NFT marketplace OpenSea and are donating all royalties to Baitulmaal, the charity behind the art project.

Visitors to the art gallery can bid on prints of the digital art and a portion of the proceeds from the auctions will also be donated to Baitulmaal.

“We’ve been wanting to launch a project that supports the creative community while also benefiting people in need around the world,” said John Janney, Baitulmaal communications director and chief curator for the Giving is Beautiful initiative. “With art as the vehicle, donors can enjoy the beauty of their contributions on their walls, in their digital collections and in their hearts.”

Two other pieces will be shown during the convention. One is an immersive video art installation by videographer Chance Issa that features footage from humanitarian aid deliveries funded by Baitulmaal donors as well as clips of popular social influencers like Khaled Beydoun and Linda Sarsour talking about how they engage with beauty in the world and how they foster inner beauty through giving and other charitable acts.

The other art piece is an interactive art installation featuring a custom-built vending machine that offers charity opportunities instead of snacks and sodas. Visitors can select from 30 different giving options, such as supporting winter relief, water access, orphan support or education. Artist and Baitulmaal graphic designer Mustafa Horton designed the colorful mosaic-themed art that covers the inside and outside of the vending machine.

Art enthusiasts outside of Chicago wanting to see or purchase selections can visit givingisbeautiful.org. The site also offers an application for artists interested in joining the collection.

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 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 20, 2021August 19, 2026 by johnjanney

Drought Relief Efforts Underway in East Africa

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WAJIR, KENYA, December 20, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, is mobilizing drought relief efforts in affected communities in Kenya which include provision of potable water tankers and maintenance of existing sub-city wells.

Fifty tankers are providing 1 million liters of potable water per month to five settlements in Kenya, benefitting approximately 3,500 residents. Water will be made accessible to livestock, a major source of livelihood that has been impacted by drought conditions in the region. Ten sub-city wells will also be maintained to ensure adequate supply to city residents.

Mitigating the water emergency in East Africa has been a priority in the region, said Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal.

“Without access to water, many things start to rapidly deteriorate,” Sohail said. “Disease is spread more easily, malnutrition in young children rises, and the health of the community as a whole is impacted when crops and animals fail to thrive. These water tankers are crucial right now.”

Countries in East Africa have been facing the worst drought in recent times, with an estimated 2.4 million people impacted in Kenya alone, according to the UN. The current drought has extended since December of 2020, the longest stretch in decades.

In addition to drought relief efforts in Kenya and Somalia, Baitulmaal digs wells, provides food, and promotes back to school efforts in East Africa. 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 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 November 18, 2021August 19, 2026 by johnjanney

Gaza Desalination Plant Provides Clean Water to 9,500 Residents

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GAZA, PALESTINE, November 18, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently installed a water desalination plant that provides clean, drinkable water to 9,500 residents in the Khan Younis governorate of the Gaza Strip.

The desalination plant is located in the village of Khuza’a in the Khan Younis camp. Residents are internally displaced Palestinians suffering from an ongoing occupation and blockade. They also suffer from a severe water shortage. According to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal, this project helps local Palestinians by purifying otherwise undrinkable water.

“Families in Gaza struggle to get clean water and often are left with few options besides buying questionable water from unreliable, unregulated sources at high prices,” Sohail said. “This water purification plant gives Palestinians access to safe, clean water at no cost to them.”

At a recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, experts 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. The 11-day offensive on Gaza last May damaged 290 water supply facilities, exacerbating an already dire water crisis in the region.

The Khan Younis camp is considered to be one of the most vulnerable areas in the southern Gaza Strip. According to the UN, the area suffers from overcrowding, high unemployment and lack of access to adequate water and electricity. The UN estimates that up to 98 percent of the camp’s water supply is contaminated with sea water, sewage and other pollutants.

In addition to the new water desalination plant in Khan Younis, Baitulmaal operates 300 water tanks in the Gaza strip that provide safe, clean water to more than 15,000 residents. Another 100 tanks will be installed at the beginning of the year. 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 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 November 8, 2021August 19, 2026 by johnjanney

900 Syrian Refugees Receive Back to School Support

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TEL ABYAD, SYRIA, November 8, 2021 — Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian relief agency, recently distributed school supplies and uniforms to 900 displaced Syrian children attending the Zainab School in Tel Abyad, Syria.

Students received uniforms, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. Many of the students are orphans or have special needs, according to Elizabeth Sohail, program manager at Baitulmaal.

“The children in this area have known nothing but war their whole lives,” Sohail said. “The simple joy of having new shoes, clothes and supplies for school brings hope to an otherwise difficult situation.”

Baitulmaal also restores schools like the Zainab School in Syria to enable children to return to damaged or inadequate campuses. In addition to digging water wells, rehabilitating classrooms, and expanding bathroom facilities, Baitulmaal has also installed heaters and solar panels to help support the safety and efficient functioning of schools.

Baitulmaal supports back to school efforts in Syria and other countries around the world. To learn about or contribute to these projects, 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 Texas, the charity has domestic offices 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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