People
helping people
We are a Canadian registered charity collaborating with global partners to drive impactful relief and development initiatives.
Simply put, we're people
helping people
Our efforts span across borders, aiming to alleviate both immediate challenges, and long-term hardships. Grounded in Islamic principles of human dignity, self-reliance, social justice and equality, we provide effective humanitarian aid and sustainable development.
HERE’S WHAT WE DO BEST
Emergency Response
We help communities dream of a life beyond the crisis, by integrating urgent relief and long-term development.
Food Security
Our goal is to ensure families receive enough food to eat at least 3 times a day, inclusive of nutritious, culturally appropriate meals to ensure they have a healthy diet.
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene
With the help of sustainable technologies, we're establishing water wells, water trucking and sanitation infrastructure, we hope to improve accessibility, prevent disease, and empower communities.
Healthcare
We provide access to premium, essential health care services to families in need. Families who are otherwise unable to access even the most basic medical care.
Education
Our holistic programs help eliminate barriers to education for marginalized children across the world. In addition to education infrastructure, they receive access to school meals and supplies.
Economic Development
We help communities dream of a life beyond the crisis, by integrating urgent relief and long-term development.
Our values
Human dignity
IDRF’s humanitarian work does not stop at providing aid – it goes further by working to ensure that each person can live a life of dignity and opportunity.
Self reliance
Our programs are designed to foster self-reliance, equipping communities with the tools and opportunities they need to shape their own futures.
Social justice
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to social justice, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Sustainability
Our programs are designed to foster self-reliance, equipping communities with the tools and opportunities they need to shape their own futures.
Our commitment
We are committed to providing equitable distribution and access to development resources and programming to all. We promise to do so in a way that respects the cultural, religious, and spiritual integrity of all beneficiaries and promotes social justice and equality.
IDRF's story,
spanning four decades.
Our efforts span across borders, aiming to alleviate both immediate challenges, and long-term hardships. Grounded in Islamic principles of human dignity, self-reliance, social justice and equality, we provide effective humanitarian aid and sustainable development.
1983
Our story began in 1983, when a conference was held to discuss how the community could respond to the famine in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Somalia.
There, the seeds were sown.
We started out as the International Refugee and Relief Program (IRRP), and successfully sponsored 60 refugee families on their journey to Canada.
Evolution
Recognizing the need to address the underlying causes of vulnerability, IRRP evolved, focusing more on development — growing into the International Development and Refugee Foundation.
2000
In 2000, we began investing in sustainable development.
Today
We evolved into a dual-mandated emergency response and sustainable development organization that you know and love today.
JOIN OUR TEAM
At IDRF, we are driven by compassion, innovation, and a shared commitment to creating lasting change. Be part of a dynamic team that works to improve lives globally through impactful programs and partnerships.