Islamic Relief USA Launches Walk for Water Charity Event

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a relief and development organization based in the D.C. metro area, will hold a 5K charity walk called Walk for Water on June 24 in Irvine, Calif. This first Walk for Water is dedicated to raising awareness about the world's water crisis. It will benefit Islamic Relief's water and sanitation projects.

Clean water and sanitation are among the most vital and immediate needs in many emergency situations, and millions of people suffer from the chronic lack of these basic necessities as well. According to the United Nations, nearly 900 million people lack clean drinking water worldwide and more than 2.6 billion people do not have adequate sanitation. Many communities struggle on a daily basis with obtaining enough water to sustain life. In some areas, villagers -- nearly always women and girls -- must devote much of their time to obtaining water from faraway wells to use for drinking, cooking and washing. This prevents women from engaging in income-generating work and keeps girls out of school -- all because of the search for water. 

The Walk for Water will fund projects like the Huanxian Rainwater Catchment Project funded by Islamic Relief USA.  This project constructed 220 sets of water cisterns and catchments for families in need of water in China.  Islamic Relief USA has also funded a water and sanitation project that is bringing clean drinking water to thousands of people in rural villages in the Koulikoro region of Mali.

"We are encouraging participants to come out and support our mission while enjoying a walk with their friends and neighbors," said Daud Mohmand, Special Events Manager for Islamic Relief USA. "Friends, family and co-workers can spend time together in a healthy activity while making a valuable contribution to the community, setting their own personal goal and showing commitment to the cause of bringing water to those who need it around the world."

Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization with eight consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. In 2011, Islamic Relief USA helped more than 5 million people in 34 countries, including the United States. In addition to its 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Islamic Relief USA is listed on the U.S. government's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The full details of the Walk for Water event are at irusa.org/walk.

MEDIA CONTACT: Asma Yousef, 703.582.5880, ayousef@irusa.org

SOURCE Islamic Relief USA