Where Mountains Meet Mercy
In the heart of Azad Kashmir, where mountains whisper stories of endurance and valleys cradle generations of dreams, hope often arrives not with grandeur but with sirens. Through winding roads and snow-clad passes, the Kashmir Welfare Foundation carries more than supplies; it carries compassion.
As a UK-registered charity with deep roots in the region, the Foundation bridges two worlds – the generosity of the British-Kashmiri diaspora and the urgent needs of families back home. Our mission is simple yet profound: to transform lives through humanitarian aid, emergency medical support, and sustainable development projects.
A Legacy of Compassion and Action
From our main operations centre in Dadyal, we coordinate a growing network of field offices across Mirpur City, Kotli City, Charhoi, Muzaffarabad, and Neelum Valley. Each branch works hand-in-hand with local volunteers, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.
In the past year alone, your generosity has changed lives:
- Over 400 food packs delivered to struggling families.
- More than 3,000 Iftar meals served to the fasting.
- Two homes built for displaced widows and orphans.
- New water systems installed to bring clean drinking water to isolated communities.
Yet, behind every statistic is a heartbeat. An orphaned child who now sleeps safely under a roof. A mother who no longer walks miles for water. A father who can break his fast with dignity.
“Kashmir is not just a place on a map,” says Abdul Basit, Chair of Trustees. “It is a promise – that no one should suffer alone when help can reach them through compassion.”
Lives Touched in Dadyal and Mirpur
Dadyal and Mirpur, known for their strong connection to the UK diaspora, are where our journey of compassion began.
In Dadyal, the sound of construction once signalled displacement. Today, it means rebuilding. Here, widowed mothers watch as new walls rise – homes built through Zakat and Sadaqah donations from UK supporters. Each brick is a story of faith fulfilled.
In Mirpur, our Meals of Mercy volunteers move through narrow streets with hot meals for fasting families. Among them is Yasir, a young orphan who once queued quietly outside the local mosque for food. Now, thanks to donors like you, he attends school with a full stomach and a hopeful heart.
Reaching the Unreachable – Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley
Beyond the bustling towns lie the rugged valleys of Muzaffarabad and Neelum – breathtaking, remote, and often forgotten during crises. When landslides block roads or harsh winters isolate entire villages, our teams push forward on foot and by 4×4, carrying food, blankets, and medical supplies.
During last winter’s relief operation, a small convoy of Kashmir Welfare Foundation vehicles made its way through heavy snow to a cluster of homes cut off for weeks. Inside one of them, Fatima Bibi, an elderly widow, wept with gratitude as she received her first food pack of the season.
“I had prayed that Allah would send someone,” she whispered. “You came like an answer carried on the wind.”
Moments like these remind us why our work matters. Aid is not only survival – it is dignity restored.
Ambulance Response in Kashmir – Life on the Line
Healthcare in the mountains of Azad Kashmir is a daily struggle. Many villages are miles from the nearest clinic, and emergencies often mean the difference between life and loss.
To bridge this gap, the Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Ambulance Response Project operates multiple vehicles stationed strategically across the region:
- One ambulance in Khadimabad, Dadyal
- One in Muzaffarabad
- Two in Neelum Valley
Each ambulance is a lifeline. In the past few months alone, our crews have transported trauma patients, expectant mothers, and children with high fevers through treacherous roads to reach hospitals in time.
One such night, in Neelum Valley, an infant named Areeb was struggling to breathe. Roads were slippery with rain, and there was no nearby doctor. Within minutes of the family’s desperate call, our volunteers were on their way. After a tense, hour-long drive through darkness, Areeb reached the district hospital – alive and safe.
“When I saw those flashing lights climbing the hills, I knew Allah had answered our prayers,” his mother recalls.
These stories repeat daily. Every siren is a prayer in motion, powered by your donations. But the need is growing. To maintain and expand this service, we must keep fuel in the tanks, stretchers ready, and medics trained.
You can be part of that lifesaving journey. Support the Ambulance Response in Kashmir Appeal
Leadership That Cares – Abdul Basit’s Vision
At the heart of every mission stands leadership driven by empathy. Abdul Basit, Chair of Trustees, personally oversees project planning and field evaluations. His approach is hands-on, ensuring that donations translate directly into impact.
“We measure success not by numbers,” Basit explains, “but by the smiles we restore and the lives we save.”
His guidance has enabled the Foundation to move from short-term relief to long-term empowerment – combining immediate humanitarian aid with sustainable development projects in housing, education, water, and livelihoods.
How UK Donors Keep Kashmir Alive
The bond between the British-Kashmiri community and their ancestral homeland is one of faith, compassion, and duty. Every act of giving – whether Zakat, Sadaqah, or Regular Giving – is a testament to that connection.
Your donations do more than fund programmes; they create ripples of hope. A single contribution helps maintain ambulances, stock medical kits, and deliver care to the most isolated corners of Kashmir.
Islam teaches us that charity purifies wealth and multiplies reward. When you give through the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, you are not only helping the poor; you are answering the Prophet’s ﷺ call to mercy.
“Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sahih Muslim)
Whether it is sponsoring fuel for an ambulance, supporting a family through Sadaqah Jariya, or setting up a Regular Giving donation, every pound counts as a lifeline extended to someone in need.
Be the Reason Someone Lives Another Day
Every life saved, every child fed, every prayer answered begins with someone who cared enough to act.
Kashmir’s mountains may be steep, its winters unforgiving, but with your compassion, hope travels faster than any storm.
Help us keep the wheels of mercy turning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Ambulance Response Project?
It provides emergency transport across remote areas of Azad Kashmir, ensuring patients reach hospitals safely and quickly.
2. How can UK donors support the ambulance appeal?
You can fund fuel, medical equipment, or maintenance by donating directly through kashmirwelfare.org.uk/ambulance-response.
3. Are my donations Zakat-eligible?
Yes. Zakat funds help patients who cannot afford medical costs or emergency transport.
4. What areas do the ambulances currently serve?
Ambulances operate in Dadyal, Muzaffarabad, and Neelum Valley, with expansion plans underway for Kotli and Mirpur.
5. Can I make a Regular Giving donation?
Absolutely. Setting up monthly giving ensures the ambulance service remains sustainable year-round.
