GiveDirectly Zakat Fund: Send cash to 900 Muslim families in Mozambique
The forgotten crisis: Your Zakat can transform the lives of 900 Muslim families in northern Mozambique.
Mozambique has been called “the forgotten crisis” — 4 in 5 people were already living in extreme poverty (one of the highest rates of poverty in the world) before the country lost 70% of their U.S. aid funding from cuts last year.
In northern Mozambique, where your Zakat funds will go, families face overlapping crises: armed conflict and violence, worsening cyclones, and high rates of malaria and infant mortality.
100% of your donation will reach Zakat-eligible families in the predominantly Muslim villages in Memba District. Each family will receive $550 to choose for themselves how to best meet their needs and build resilience to the many challenges they face. By reaching our fundraising goal, we can deliver Zakat to 900 Muslim families living in extreme poverty.
GiveDirectly is certified to collect and distribute Zakat.
GiveDirectly’s Zakat program has been reviewed and certified by Amanah Advisors (see certification letter). All donations made through this page are handled in accordance to Islamic law, with GiveDirectly acting as the Wakil (distribution agent) for the payments.
All costs associated with distribution of these funds (e.g. staff salaries, bank fees) are covered from separate, non-Zakat funds.
Direct cash is the most effective, evidenced way to give Zakat.
Giving no-strings-attached cash to the poor is a cornerstone of Zakat giving. It’s also one of the most cost-effective ways to save lives and reduce poverty, backed by hundreds of research studies.
GiveDirectly is the leading nonprofit focused on delivering cash to people in extreme poverty.
Some charities do many things. GiveDirectly does one thing: sending cash to the world’s poorest families. Independent randomized studies have found GiveDirectly’s cash led to:
- 🤱 48% decrease in infant deaths
- 💸 2.5x increase in local economic activity per dollar transferred
- 🍛 Improved food security and nutrition (even more than a nutrition program)
- ⏰ Lasting financial gains, even 7 years later
Your donation will be delivered via mobile money technology, which is faster and more transparent than many types of traditional, in-kind aid.
Your Zakat funds will go to Muslim families like Rosalina’s.
“I’m a single mother of seven children. Their father left us long ago, and since then, I’ve been struggling alone to provide for my family,” said Rosalina, 41.
“Earlier this year, my house was severely damaged by a cyclone. It didn’t collapse, but it was left in terrible condition, and I had no means to repair it.
When the support [from GiveDirectly] arrived, I felt that I finally had a chance to start over. I invested 3,000 MZN ($47 USD) to start a pastry-selling business that could help feed my children. From the income I earned, I was able to save money to begin rebuilding my house.”
“Today, I feel safe and hopeful about the future. My life has stabilized, my family now has a dignified home, and my pastry business generates a profit, which allows me to save and meet my family’s needs. The support not only provided financial help, but also brought peace of mind, strength, and a real opportunity to rebuild my life.”
In 2023, our Zakat program reached Yemeni families in poverty.
GiveDirectly previously ran a Zakat program in Yemen, delivering cash to families affected by ongoing conflict, extreme poverty, and food insecurity. Direct cash enabled families to buy food, repay debts, and invest in small businesses, providing them with income and a livelihood for the first time in years.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Zakat?
Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a specific form of alms that is obligatory for any Muslim who is in possession of wealth over a certain threshold.
Zakat is applicable at a rate of 2.5% of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab, and is calculated and paid annually.
It’s especially common to give Zakat during the month of Ramadan.
Why is GiveDirectly collecting Zakat?
GiveDirectly has delivered cash aid to the world’s poorest for the past 16 years, delivering over $1 billion to more than 2 million people across 15 countries. Our tech platforms allow us to transparently and efficiently deliver money directly to the most vulnerable to spend on what they need most.
The spirit of Zakat, giving alms directly to the poor (fuqaraa) and needy (masakeen), aligns with our mission. We want to provide Muslim donors the ability to give Zakat directly as cash to those suffering in Mozambique, an option not currently available from other organizations.
We’ve previously delivered Zakat donations to families in Yemen.
How are these donations Zakat certified?
While GiveDirectly is a secular organization, our Mozambique program and Zakat policy has been reviewed and certified by Amanah Advisors. See certification letter.
The journey of Zakat funds from the Zakat donor to recipient:
- Zakat funds are held in an interest-free bank account and restricted to our Mozambique Zakat program
- Zakat funds are transferred to our Mozambique country office account
- GiveDirectly pays each recipient via mobile money transfers
Zakat payments are allocated, given out, and reported upon within six months of receipt.
Who is specifically handling the donated Zakat funds?
Nasir Asad leads our donation and fundraising efforts. Funds are delivered by staff from our Mozambique office on the ground.
What about overhead?
100% of Zakat collected through this page will be delivered to families in Mozambique, with none of the funds going to staff, transfer costs, or other overhead. Those operational expenses are covered by other funding sources.
Note: Non-Zakat GiveDirectly donations go to both cash aid and the cost of delivering them. This remains our policy, but we’ve created an exception to ensure compliance with Zakat rules.
Who is eligible to receive funds?
While the region is 95%+ Muslim, all eligible recipients will receive cash as part of this program, regardless of religion.
Zakat-designated funds are used exclusively for Muslim recipients, while non-Muslim recipients will receive the same transfer amount from non-Zakat donations.
We do not ask recipients about their religion; instead, enrollment officers identify households eligible for Zakat funds based on observable indicators, such as whether women in the household wear hijabs.
How did you choose how much each family receives?
Each household will receive a total of 35,000 Mozambique meticais (~$550 USD) to meet their basic needs and invest in their future.
Youth residents aged 18 to 34 will also receive ~$550 USD. This program is designed to strengthen economic wellbeing, create financial stability, reduce vulnerabilities, and promote the independence and social development of young people in northern Mozambique.
GiveDirectly research shows that giving cash without conditions has a positive impact on health, economic wellbeing and poverty reduction.
Is GiveDirectly connected to any political group?
GiveDirectly has no political, religious, or sectarian affiliations, and is committed to serving people in poverty across the globe regardless of their tribe, religion, sex, and political beliefs.
What if I’d like to make a major gift?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at info@givedirectly.org.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations are tax-deductible in the United States. GiveDirectly is a registered 501(c)(3), and our U.S. federal EIN is 27-1661997.
Reach out to us at info@givedirectly.org with any questions or for more information on ways to give.