Humanitarian Aid FAQs
Learn more about NRF’s humanitarian work, how your donations help, and the programmes supporting vulnerable communities around the world.
General Information
What humanitarian aid does NRF provide?
NRF provides practical humanitarian support including food aid, medical assistance, education support, housing, winter relief, emergency response and long-term community projects.
Where does NRF provide humanitarian aid?
NRF currently supports communities across Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Who does NRF’s humanitarian aid support?
Our programmes prioritise vulnerable people including orphaned children, widows, displaced families and people living in poverty or crisis.
Can I choose where my humanitarian donation goes?
Yes, where a specific programme or region is available you can choose your preference. General Charity donations are normally allocated according to where the need is greatest, although NRF will try to honour a strong regional preference where possible.
Can I donate to a specific humanitarian programme?
Yes. You can support specific programmes such as food aid, medical aid, education, housing or winter relief, or make a flexible General Charity donation.
What is the difference between General Charity and a specific programme donation?
A specific programme donation is directed towards a defined cause, while General Charity gives NRF greater flexibility to direct funds towards the most urgent need at the time.
Can I make a humanitarian donation in memory or honour of someone?
Yes. You can dedicate a humanitarian donation in memory of someone who has passed away or in honour of someone special.
Ongoing Charity & Long-Term Projects
What is Ongoing Charity?
Ongoing Charity supports lasting projects such as water wells, schools, homes and handpumps that can benefit communities for many years.
What is the difference between General Charity and Ongoing Charity?
General Charity helps meet immediate needs such as food, medicine and emergency support. Ongoing Charity funds lasting projects designed to provide long-term benefit.
What projects can I support through Ongoing Charity?
Projects include water wells, deep boreholes, water handpumps, schools and homes. You can also make a flexible donation towards the most needed lasting project.
Can I dedicate an Ongoing Charity project to someone?
Yes. Projects can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or in honour of someone special. For some projects, a dedication can be displayed on a plaque or recorded in the project report.
Will I receive an update on an Ongoing Charity project?
Yes. Donors funding individual projects receive project information and reports, including photographs and relevant project details.
Can I pay towards a larger project in instalments?
Yes. Instalment arrangements can be made for larger projects such as schools and boreholes.
Education Support
What does NRF’s Education Support programme provide?
NRF helps cover practical barriers to education, including school fees, uniforms, stationery, transport and higher-education costs.
Who receives education support?
Support is focused on orphaned and vulnerable children who may otherwise struggle to remain in education.
Does NRF build schools?
Yes. NRF builds schools in communities where educational facilities are lacking, particularly in Pakistan and East Africa.
Does education support include university or higher education?
Yes. NRF can support higher education through scholarships, tuition, laptops, textbooks and associated costs for eligible students.
Does NRF provide vocational training?
Yes. Vocational programmes provide practical skills such as tailoring, carpentry and mechanics for people who may not follow a traditional academic route.
Housing Support
What does NRF’s Housing Support programme provide?
NRF builds and repairs homes for vulnerable families and can also provide essential household appliances where needed.
Where does NRF provide housing support?
Housing projects operate across East Africa, Pakistan and Iraq.
How much does it cost to build a home?
The current listed cost for a complete new home is £1,500.
Does NRF repair existing homes?
Yes. NRF repairs and refurbishes homes where families are living in unsafe or unsuitable conditions.
What household appliances does NRF provide?
Depending on need, NRF may provide essential appliances such as ovens, refrigerators and fans, particularly to vulnerable families in Iraq.
Can I build a home in memory or honour of someone?
Yes. A home can be dedicated to a loved one as a meaningful long-term legacy.
Food Aid
What does NRF’s Food Aid programme provide?
NRF provides food baskets, school meals, Ramadan food support, Qurbani meat and emergency food assistance.
How much does a food basket cost?
A standard food basket currently costs £60 and is intended to support a family of around 3–5 people for one month.
What is included in a food basket?
Baskets typically contain essential staples such as rice, flour, lentils, oil, sugar, tea and other food items. Contents may vary according to local needs.
Where are food baskets distributed?
Food baskets are distributed across Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and East Africa.
What is the School Lunch Programme?
NRF provides hot meals to children during the school day in East Africa, helping improve nutrition, attendance and concentration.
Can I donate food aid in memory or honour of someone?
Yes. Food Aid donations can be dedicated in memory of a loved one or given in honour of someone special.
Medical Aid
What does NRF’s Medical Aid fund cover?
Medical Aid can support operations and surgery, medicines, doctor visits, specialist consultations, medical travel, hygiene kits and emergency medical response.
Who benefits from Medical Aid?
Support primarily reaches orphans, widows and families who cannot afford essential healthcare. During emergencies, support may extend to others affected by the crisis.
Where does NRF provide Medical Aid?
NRF provides medical assistance across Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan and East Africa.
Can I donate towards a specific medical need?
Medical donations are generally pooled and allocated according to urgency. If you have a particular preference, you can contact NRF and the team will do their best to accommodate it.
Does NRF respond to medical emergencies?
Yes. NRF can deploy medical support during conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics and other humanitarian emergencies.
Winter Appeal
What is the NRF Winter Appeal?
The Winter Appeal is an annual campaign providing essential winter support to vulnerable families and children, including blankets, warm clothing, heating fuel, food and medical assistance.
Where does Winter Aid go?
Winter support is provided across Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and East Africa, prioritising families and children most at risk.
What does a winter kit include?
A typical winter kit may include blankets, warm clothing, heating fuel and food. Contents vary according to the region and the needs of each family.
Can I donate items such as blankets or clothing?
Medical donations are generally pooled and allocated according to urgency. If you have a particular preference, you can contact NRF and the team will do their best to accommodate it.
Does NRF respond to medical emergencies?
The Winter Appeal primarily accepts financial donations so NRF can purchase supplies locally and respond efficiently. If you would like to make an in-kind donation, contact the NRF team first.
When does the Winter Appeal run?
The campaign typically launches in autumn and continues through the winter months. Early donations help NRF prepare supplies before the coldest weather arrives.
Charity Box
What is an NRF Charity Box?
An NRF Charity Box allows you to collect spare change at home, work or in a community setting and return it to NRF to support humanitarian programmes.
How do I request a Charity Box?
You can request a Charity Box through the online request form on the NRF website.
How long should I keep my Charity Box?
You should return your box within four months of receiving it, or sooner if it becomes full.
What happens when I return my Charity Box?
NRF counts the contents of the box, records the amount collected and issues a receipt confirming the donation.
Will I receive a replacement Charity Box?
Yes. When you return your box, you can request a replacement so you can continue collecting.
How can I return my Charity Box?
You can return your box by post, drop it off at an appropriate collection point, or arrange collection by an NRF volunteer, where available.
What happens if my Charity Box is not full after four months?
Return it anyway. There is no minimum amount required, and even a partially filled box can make a difference.
Can businesses or community organisations host an NRF Charity Box?
Yes. Charity Boxes can be placed in suitable businesses, mosques and community locations with the permission of the person responsible for the premises.
Donations, Gift Aid & Transparency
Is my humanitarian donation eligible for Gift Aid?
Yes. If you are a UK taxpayer and meet the eligibility requirements, Gift Aid can increase your donation by 25% at no additional cost to you.
Can I donate any amount?
Yes. General Charity donations have no minimum amount, and every contribution can help support people in need.
How does NRF decide where flexible donations are needed most?
NRF considers the urgency and needs of the communities it supports and directs flexible funds towards the most pressing needs.
How can I see the impact of my donation?
NRF provides programme updates, project reports, photographs and communications to show how support is being used and the difference it makes.