On 8 April 2021, the UNHCR Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund was officially launched at a press briefing held in Abuja, Nigeria which brought together government officials, Muslim community, business leaders and UNHCR.

At the launch, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, the Executive Chairman Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Commission (SOZECOM) shared his commitment to alleviate the suffering of Nigeria’s most vulnerable internally displaced families and pledged NGN 1,000,000 from SOZECOM to the Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund.

“We Muslims have a responsibility and duty to give Zakat each year. My request to Muslims and Zakat managers is to always remember IDPs in disbursing their Zakat funds and ensure a significant portion of their ‘Sadaqa’ in Ramadan and beyond is set aside for IDPs. We welcome UNHCR’s Islamic Philanthropy endeavors in the country and look forward to working together, InshAllah, in this noble cause.”

In response, Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR Representative in Nigeria expressed her appreciation, commenting: “We are grateful to Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Maidoki and SOZECOM for helping champion the Refugee and IDP Zakat Fund. With SOZECOM’s pledge and Zakat contributions from Muslims in Nigeria we will be able to provide much needed core relief items and livelihoods assistance to families in most critical need.”