KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic Relief Malaysia, a non-governmental humanitarian aid organisation, has introduced a "Feed the Fasting" campaign aimed at providing food for the fasting poor.
 
The relief group plans to distribute Ramadan food packages to single mothers, the destitute, the disabled, orphans, old folk and the poor.

Each package will contain rice, wheat flour, sugar, condensed milk, cooking oil, dates and canned food.
 
Country director Khaled Khalifa said the main aim of the programme is to ease the burden of poor families. IRM is calling for donations in cash and kind to get the campaign moving.
 
"The campaign is especially effective in countries such as those in Africa, where the poor look forward to Ramadan because of the aid they will receive,"  he said.
 
IRM is part of Islamic Relief Worldwide, a UK-based organisation which operates in 33 countries. It promotes sustainable economic and social development projects by working with local communities.
 
The "Feed the Fasting" campaign was the organisation’s annual programme. It started last year with lukewarm response but things were looking up this year, said Khaled.
   
Activities have been organised to raise funds for the programme. Donations are also collected through IRM’s official website and during Friday prayers at several mosques.
 
"If the donations exceed our target, we plan to use the funds for poor remote orphanages to enable them to enjoy the Raya celebrations."
 
IRM is expected to distribute 350 food packages during the first two weeks of Ramadan to families in Perak, Johor and Pahang.

The food packages are designed for a family of five and are expected to last for three weeks. 
 
IRM fundraising support assistant Khadijah Azman said the organisation was  also looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute the food packages. 
 
The first distribution will be in Mukim Lambor and Mukim Bota in Perak today.