AFF continues to convene timely, sector-shaping discussions that draw on the expertise of our members and partners across the region.

In a recent AFF Speaker Series episode, CEO Naila Farouky spoke with Andrew Moore, Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan at The HALO Trust — the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance organization.

Andrew shared his unexpected journey from opera singer to demining leader, and offered a powerful look at HALO’s life-saving work in Syria, Gaza, and beyond. The conversation explored how mine action not only saves lives, but also enables long-term economic and social recovery, builds community trust through local hiring, and can be accelerated with innovative technology and AI.

As crises persist in Syria, Gaza, and Sudan, Andrew offered a hopeful yet strategic vision for rebuilding — with demining as the critical first step.

Catch the full conversation and explore more sector-shaping discussions on the AFF YouTube Channel.

Two AFF members, The Asfari Foundation and the King Hussein Foundation, are partnering to advance the work of the Jubilee Institute (a program of the King Hussein Foundation) in pioneering efforts toward a future of greater sustainability and wellbeing.

Through this collaboration, they are working to redefine the very notion of prosperity — moving beyond traditional measures of economic growth to embrace the values of wellbeing and sustainability. Drawing on research from the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), the Jubilee Institute is leading innovative, youth-driven initiatives in social entrepreneurship and citizen science.

Inkomoko

Inkomoko successfully completed the NGO registration process for Chad, and we have now received government approval to begin our livelihoods program, working with refugee and host community entrepreneurs in Farchana and Gaga, Eastern Chad.

Overseas aid has taken a big hit from global funding cuts this year, so it's vital that we enable more forcibly displaced people and their hosts to build inclusive and sustainable businesses that positively impact their households and the wider community. 

Inkomoko provides micro, small, and medium sized entrepreneurs affected by forced displacement with the tools and financing needed to start and grow a business.

Jusoor

This summer, under its Bridges to Syria initiative, Jusoor launched its first interventions inside Syria after years of operating globally, supporting children and young Syrians with education and scholarship opportunities. The organization began with a series of intensive three-day teacher trainings in Zabadany, Maadameyet el Sham, and Haran el Awameed, reaching 90 primary school teachers. These educators are now leading Jusoor’s six-week summer program in the same locations, engaging 900 students with fun learning and hands-on skill application.

Read more about our Teacher Training & Summer School.

Greenpeace MENA

A new report from Greenpeace MENA and the Ummah for Earth Alliance reveals that redirecting just 5% of Islamic finance assets toward renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030 could unlock $400 billion in climate capital. As part of its broader mission to connect faith-based values with systemic climate action, Greenpeace MENA is not only surfacing this insight, but actively developing the tools, frameworks, and partnerships needed to bring it to life at scale. This comes at a critical moment, as the world needs to triple renewable capacity to meet climate goals. Read the English version HERE and Arabic version HERE.

A Sea of Plastics... the Invisible Pollution is a new documentary from Greenpeace MENA that uncovers the human cost of plastic waste, tracing its impact on coastal communities, livelihoods, biodiversity, and health across Egypt, the UAE, Morocco, and Tunisia. Through real-life stories, the film highlights how plastic pollution disrupts daily life, deepens inequality, and threatens cultural traditions, but also how communities are mobilizing to protect their waters and futures. For philanthropy and civil society, A Sea of Plastic is a call to action: to invest in solutions that prioritize people, amplify community voices, and accelerate a just transition away from single-use plastics. Watch the documentary HERE.

The American University of Beirut

On May 29, 2025, the American University of Beirut (AUB) announced the forthcoming establishment of a School of Computing and Data Sciences at the university. Set to open in 2026, the school will offer academic degree programs in data and computational sciences and foster interdisciplinary learning, pioneering research, and AI innovation—from health and language to climate and migration.

Save the Children Jordan

Celebrating 50 years of championing child rights, Save the Children Jordan marks its golden anniversary with a child-centered event.

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, Save the Children Jordan is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since its founding in 1974, the organization has grown from a small community initiative into a leading national institution, championing child rights, education, protection, and emergency response. To mark this golden milestone, a child-centered celebration will be held on 15 September 2025 in Amman, highlighting Save the Children Jordan’s achievements over the past five decades. The event will also feature the announcement of studies conducted by SCJ on child rights, offering a unique opportunity for partners, communities, and children to witness the organization’s ongoing commitment to shaping a brighter future for every child in Jordan.

New study reveals the realities of child labor in Jordan’s agriculture—released on the International Day for the Elimination of Child Labor.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Child Labor, Save the Children Jordan released a study on children working in agriculture in Mafraq and the Jordan Valley. It highlights unsafe working conditions, the socioeconomic pressures behind child labor, and the influence of social norms. The research centers children’s and families’ voices and offers evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to protect and improve children’s lives. Read the full study.

Amani South Sudan

Amani South Sudan is a women and youth-led national nonprofit dedicated to restoring hope and resilience in crisis-affected communities. In addition to our education programs in Pibor, we are providing humanitarian support to Sudanese Arab refugees in Renk County, a border area between Sudan and South Sudan, where thousands have fled conflict. By combining emergency assistance with education, protection, and socioeconomic development activities, such as skills training, livelihoods support, and community-led income generation, we ensure that displaced children and families can learn, heal, and rebuild their lives with dignity. Our work also reflects best practices in education, health, climate resilience, and humanitarian response, contributing to stronger, more self-reliant communities.

Cultural Livelihoods in Action – Cattle Keeping for Economic and Social Resilience photos

These scenes from traditional cattle camps in South Sudan reflect the daily life, resilience, and heritage of pastoralist communities. Livestock herding is both a vital source of livelihood, providing milk, meat, income, and trade, and a deep-rooted cultural practice that fosters social cohesion and intergenerational knowledge transfer. For many, cattle are the foundation of socioeconomic empowerment, sustaining families and communities in both economic and cultural terms. Through our programs, we work with pastoralist communities to improve livestock health, strengthen market access, and promote sustainable rangeland management, ensuring that this heritage continues to provide both economic security and cultural pride for generations to come.

Sightsavers

Health Affairs Scholar: The changing neglected tropical disease landscape in Africa: implications for policy, practice, and strengthening health systems

Data from Sightsavers’ databases was used in a study examining how the NTD landscape in Africa is changing due to disease trends, budget cuts, and the desire for universal health coverage.

In summary, the study underscores Sightsavers’ crucial contribution towards changing the NTD landscape in Africa by advancing elimination efforts through data-driven, integrated, sustainable, and adaptable strategies that align with global health goals and strengthen health systems across endemic countries.

King Hussein Cancer Foundation

A Milestone for Cancer Patients in Jordan: Two Decades of Advocacy Achieved

The King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) celebrates a historic milestone as the Cancer Care Insurance Program (CCI) is formally adopted by the Jordanian government as the sustainable model for cancer financing. After more than two decades of relentless advocacy, KHCF has ensured that access to quality cancer care is recognized as a right, not a privilege—setting a replicable model for the region.

In 1997, KHCF took a bold step forward, introducing the Cancer Care Insurance Program (CCI), a pioneering, nonprofit social insurance initiative rooted in the principles of solidarity and justice. By offering guaranteed access to world-class treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Center for a minimal annual subscription fee, CCI became the first of its kind in the region, embodying hope and dignity for patients and families across Jordan.

This achievement is not merely an institutional success. It is the culmination of two decades of perseverance, advocacy, and solidarity—a testament to the power of collective action in shaping policies that protect the most vulnerable. For Jordan, it marks a landmark step toward universal health coverage. For the region and beyond, it stands as a replicable model of how innovative, socially rooted financing can bridge gaps and secure justice in health.

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps is implementing a new innovative approach to advance maternal and newborn health in Yemen. As part of this initiative, and with support from KSrelief and the Gates Foundation, we are organizing intensive in-person training sessions for frontline healthcare workers, providing them with the skills and knowledge to effectively address conditions such as anemia, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, maternal and neonatal sepsis, and neonatal respiratory distress. Yemen has long struggled with high maternal and newborn mortality. We hope to change that with our training. Read more here!

Saleh Abdullah Kamel Humanitarian Foundation



The Saleh Abdullah Kamel Humanitarian Foundation (SAKHF) in Egypt, inspired by the legacy of Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, empowers communities through education and social initiatives. While operating independently, SAKHF Egypt is a sister entity to the Saleh Abdullah Kamel Humanitarian Foundation in Saudi Arabia, united by the same vision of advancing human dignity and social development. Its programs are aligned with Egypt Vision 2030, contributing to national priorities such as social inclusion, economic empowerment, and improving quality of life, while also advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, quality education, health and well-being, decent work, and sustainable communities.

Its flagship project, the Saleh Kamel Secondary School for Applied Technology and Ready-Made Garments, currently serves over 140 students under the guidance of 19 educators and administrators. The school combines theoretical learning with hands-on training in partner factories, offering both national and international certifications. More than 75% of graduates enter the workforce or pursue higher education. Over the next five years, the school aims to expand its capacity to over 500 students, enhancing employability through strategic partnerships with LK-HUB, the Academic Partner responsible for the school’s operation and management, the German Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Egyptian Federation of Industries, leading local companies, and Shaghalni, a digital platform for employment and human resources management.

Beyond education, SAKHF supports vulnerable populations by providing prosthetics, mobility aids, and wheelchairs, while backing medical convoys to assess and meet specific needs. The Foundation also participates in religious seasons and community events, distributing ready meals to those in need.

With a steadfast commitment to integrity, cooperation, adaptability, trust, and piety, SAKHF strengthens society by improving healthcare, providing vital resources, and empowering individuals to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. The Foundation’s initiatives leave a lasting and tangible impact on education, social development, and community well-being.

The Doria Feminist Fund

One of our newest members, The Doria Feminist Fund (DFF) is a pioneering regional fund dedicated to supporting and sustaining feminist movements across the Middle East and North Africa. Rooted in principles of gender justice, equality, and human rights, DFF provides flexible funding, capacity-strengthening, and solidarity-based support to grassroots activists and organizations. By centering the voices and leadership of women, girls, and marginalized communities, DFF works to build resilient feminist ecosystems that can drive lasting social change. 

Keynote Address at the African Philanthropy Conference 2025

Doria Feminist Fund Executive Director, Zeina Abdel Khalik, raises the voice on the necessity of funding feminist movements in her keynote address at the African Philanthropy Conference 2025 in Cairo, on the theme of “Feminist and Gender-Responsive Financing for Inclusive Development.” Watch the full keynote here!

Celebrating Feminist Leadership in North Africa

We are proud to share the stories of three remarkable Recognition Grant awardees of the Doria Feminist Fund. These feminist activists and organizations are driving bold change for gender justice and human rights across North Africa. Watch the video to meet them!

Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD)

Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD), with the Syrian British Medical Society, launched a medical mission in Latakia and Aleppo—delivering lifesaving surgeries and advanced hospital training. Alongside, we upgraded our donation platform with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal for secure, instant giving.

Support HiHFAD's work across Syria.

Hand in Hand for Aid and Development(HiHFAD), with support from the Aid Fund for Syria(AFS) and the Syrian Ministry of Health, launched rehabilitation of Maarrat al-Nu’man Hospital and five health centers—benefiting over 700,000 people in northern Syria. Learn more!

Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, with support from Nezir Derneği, organized a pre-Eid clothing exhibition in Homs, reaching over 20,000 orphans and vulnerable families with clothing, robotics, theatre activities, and joy.

Mercy Corps

Urgent Call for Humanitarian Access in Gaza

Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D'Oyen McKenna recently spoke with CNN, issuing an urgent call for an immediate end to the aid blockade in Gaza and full humanitarian access for civilians in need. In the interview, she underscored the dire humanitarian conditions, the scale of displacement, and the life-threatening shortage of essentials such as food, clean water, and medical care. Read the full interview here.

Youth and Economic Opportunities in Sudan

Mercy Corps’ Sudan team has released a powerful new report, Sudan’s Untapped Lifeline: Youth Speak Out, which examines the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on young people’s livelihoods and economic prospects. Drawing on the voices of Sudanese youth themselves, the report outlines both the challenges they face and the untapped potential they hold for driving recovery and stability if given the right opportunities. Explore the full report here.

Famine Confirmed in Gaza – Mercy Corps Responds

Following the release of the IPC report confirming famine in Gaza, Mercy Corps issued a statement calling for immediate, sustained humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life. The statement, which includes commentary from both the CEO and staff members working in Gaza, highlights the human cost of the crisis and urges the global community to act without delay. Read the full statement here.