Islamic philanthropy reached $46m in 2023 and helped more than two million refugees and displaced people from 23 countries, a new report has said.

On Monday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released a report saying that zakat and sadaqah are given by many people from different countries. Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen are the main recipients of these donations.

Syria was paid $8,612,170 in 2023, the highest money beneficiary regarding Sadaqah. From zakat, Yemen received $5,755,764 and Lebanon received $5,640,256 in 2023.

“This July, UNCHR launched the Sadaqay Jariya campaign to provide clean and sustainable water sources and maintenance of wells and boreholes,” a UNCHR employee said. The Sadaqay Jariya initiative was started in Chad.

According to the report, the Ramadan campaign has helped 605,900 people.

The UNCHR has organized sessions at COP28 and the Global Refugee Forum on Islamic philanthropy as well.

The report pointed out that the hidden agenda behind Islamic philanthropy for refugees is increasing as donations have doubled in the last two years.

The report emphasized that zakat will help 1.17 million people; whereas sadaqah will support 826,000 people from 16 countries.

Muslims give zakat and sadaqah in the Holy Month of Ramadan to cleanse their soul and money from sins.