According to reports released for 2026, Life For Relief and Development (LIFE) has secured the third position among the world’s best humanitarian organizations for its rapid emergency response, the fifth position as the best organization fighting global poverty, and the fifth position as the best organization operating in Palestine.
Founded over 33 years ago in the United States, LIFE holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. These rankings reflect its constant preparedness to respond to global disasters and emergencies, as well as its expansion and presence over the past years in more than 60 countries through comprehensive projects executed via its 14 offices worldwide. Over these years, LIFE has distributed more than $624 million in humanitarian aid, earning a 96% rating from the Charity Navigator review board. It has also been recommended by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and was awarded the Dubai Humanitarian Award last April for the most impactful humanitarian partnership, for its project building shelters for displaced persons in the Gaza Strip. These shelters protected people from winter cold and rain, summer heat and humidity, insects, and fire hazards during ongoing shelling.
Emergency Relief for Earthquake Disasters in Tunisia, Algeria, and North Africa
Africa and the Middle East are among the regions most affected by wars and ongoing environmental disasters. LIFE has ensured preparedness and preemptive readiness to respond to emergencies. This was evident in its presence in North Africa in 1994 when LIFE began operations in Tunisia after an earthquake struck the region, with aftershocks continuing for more than five years. During this period, LIFE’s teams supported displaced families whose homes were damaged due to weak building structures in Tunisia and Algeria.
LIFE also responded to the major earthquake in Algeria in 2003, the effects of which remain today—not only in the memories of those affected but also in the need to assist 95,000 people who lost their homes and urgently required temporary shelters and resettlement. LIFE teams provided relief, including food, water, temporary shelter, healthcare, and medicine, and tracked displaced persons from affected areas to neighboring states to ensure they received the support needed to rebuild stable lives.
Support continued during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) and during the floods that struck several African countries in 2022. LIFE was on high alert, with teams on the ground immediately delivering urgent aid and medical supplies in Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Sri Lanka. Subsequently, during waves of drought and famine affecting the region, LIFE provided emergency relief in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan.
Seasonal Projects and Orphan Sponsorships
LIFE has also implemented seasonal projects, providing Ramadan food baskets, sacrificial meat, and winter supplies such as blankets and heating materials for displaced families and needy households in Algeria and 22 other African countries. Additionally, LIFE has developed drinking water projects across Africa and other countries worldwide, totaling 1,473 wells over these years, including 267 wells in 2025 alone.
The organization supports 13,100 orphans in Africa and 22 countries globally. In 2025, LIFE assisted nearly 29,000 orphan students by covering school expenses and educational supplies in 28 countries. The organization also provides university scholarships and, to combat malnutrition, supplied vitamin-enriched food to 19,000 families in Africa, the Middle East, and Gaza.
Addressing the Largest Child Displacement in Africa
LIFE intervened during the largest wave of child displacement in Sudan following conflicts, operating at the heart of the crisis despite security risks to provide urgent shelter, medical, and humanitarian support to war-affected populations. LIFE also supported Sudanese refugees in Egypt and neighboring African countries with essential emergency aid, focusing on the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children, who suffered intimidation and the loss of property and families. The organization provided medical care, medicines, hygiene and sanitation supplies, and prenatal and geriatric care, as well as health services for children.
Humanitarian Solidarity and Relief
Despite challenges over the past years, LIFE has continuously operated multiple projects alongside its relief efforts in Gaza. The organization has provided food and humanitarian assistance to 1.2 million refugees worldwide and healthcare services to 30,000 of them. Around $27 million were spent on healthcare programs and medical supplies globally.
Seasonal initiatives included delivering 11 million meals during Ramadan across 36 countries and distributing sacrificial meat to 450,000 people in 38 countries, including 50,000 in Gaza alone. Winter supplies, including clothing, heating devices, and firewood, were provided to 9,000 families. LIFE also drilled 267 wells last year in 18 countries, bringing the total to 1,476 wells.
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