Qismat and our humanitarian relief providers welcome all forms of assistance. However, potential donors are urged to make cash contributions rather than in-kind donations. A cash donation to an organisation or project within a funding framework ensures that your donation feeds into our development goals, which has been prepared in coordination with the international humanitarian community. In this way, the type of relief provided to populations will fully reflect priority needs throughout an emergency response.

Please also note when engaging in business/strategic partnerships or contributing in-kind donations to Qismat, it’s always better to consider long-term partnerships rather than sending ad-hoc proposals in the wake of a disaster as it allows us to respond more efficiently for emergency humanitarian relief.

In-Kind Donations Of Professional Services

Intellectual capital contributions by businesses and professionals are always much needed resources which can be leveraged to great humanitarian benefit.

To ensure all resources are focused on the delivery of life-saving or life-enabling programmes as well as Qismat’s broader development goals, please consider all costs associated with the delivery of your contribution.

Services offered should be self-sufficient in terms of any financial commitments, ongoing costs, or general expenditures associated with your contribution. Qismat and the humanitarian community generally have no funds to take into charge individuals other than its own staff, or to provide full or partial transportation support or other practicalities, such as medical evacuation.

In-Kind Donations Of Relief Goods

Recent emergencies show that well-intentioned donations of goods unfortunately can accumulate at ports and airports instead of reaching the affected population. Often, the donations may also not be relevant to a disaster’s specific needs. Therefore in-kind humanitarian donations should:

• Be well planned with Qismat and/or the humanitarian community coordinating the relief effort as well as national authorities whenever necessary.
• Be necessary and appropriate for beneficiaries.
• Be accompanied by the required documentation. In addition, in-kind contributions should have a clearly designated consignee, which is the entity responsible for receiving the cargo and onward transport and distribution. Cargo that lacks documentation and adequate planning for onward delivery can take up scarce resources, such as landing slots or storage space, and become a logistical burden for organizations on the ground.

Please note: Qismat and most humanitarian relief providers usually cannot cover freight and handling costs for donations from their place of origin.