Islamic Relief USA's CEO Appointed to Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2011, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Islamic Relief USA's CEO Abed Ayoub has been appointed by the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) to become a member of its Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA).   Comprising of 30 private citizens with extensive knowledge of international development, ACVFA consults with USAID and other government agencies on development issues relating to foreign assistance.

"To generate innovative ideas for achieving global development results, we must collaborate with an increasingly diverse community of actors," said Rajiv Shah, administrator of USAID. "The composition of ACVFA --which includes experienced practitioners and cutting-edge thinkers --will help us harness this opportunity."

ACVFA meetings are held twice yearly and provide opportunities for knowledge exchange between USAID and other governmental agencies and nongovernmental institutions.  Members of ACVFA reflect a wide and diverse range of nongovernmental participants who bring to the consultations a wealth of knowledge and diverse backgrounds.

In addition to being IRUSA's CEO, Abed Ayoub is a member of the governance committee of Islamic Relief Worldwide. He also serves on the executive board of many local and international nonprofit organizations. He is a founding partner of the Center for Interfaith Action, a coalition of faith-based organizations working collectively to reduce global poverty and disease.

Members of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid are appointed by the USAID administrator for varying terms.  Members come from a balanced cross section of non-governmental entities, including private and voluntary organizations, cooperatives, universities, private firms and professional societies. They serve in a representational capacity rather than an individual capacity.

Islamic Relief USA 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. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects allowing communities to better help themselves.

MEDIA CONTACT: Asma Yousef, (703) 582-5880, ayousef@irusa.org

SOURCE Islamic Relief USA