Our Teams Rush to LA Wildfire Victims

ZAKAT FOUNDATION OF AMERICA California relief teams rushed into aid action when massive Los Angeles County wind-whipped fires caused by drought, water management issues, and the climate crisis swept through the Palisades, Eaton, and neighboring communities on 7 January. 

Aijaz Balkhi, our Southern California Outreach Coordinator, quickly mobilized our regional teams to provide emergency relief, delivering food, water, hygiene kits, socks, blankets, and other essential items to displaced families facing sudden hardship.

“Our regional relief teams lost no time gathering and handing out life-saving resources to those fleeing the fire,” said Khalil Demir, Executive Director of the U.S.-based international charity.

“We’re actively assessing support needs for child psychology trauma services for young survivors coping with this devastating crisis,” he said. 

A total of 11 distribution points, with support from seven local partners, were established in Altadena, Arcadia, Canoga Park, and Pasadena, which assisted over 10,000 people. Our work was recognized and applauded by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who visited our Disaster Relief Station. 

After nearly a month, the fires have been fully contained, and cleanup efforts are now underway. The fires have ravaged 37,000 acres, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure.

Among the casualties is Masjid Al-Taqwa, a historic African American mosque in Altadena, which was reduced to ashes in just minutes. In total, more than a dozen places of worship have been damaged or destroyed, including Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Pasadena Jewish Temple, and at least 10 Protestant churches.

“What’s needed now from us is to send our support to these U.S. Muslim charities providing emergency child trauma care, temporary housing, food, clothing, cash cards for evacuated residents to help them with accommodation, food, and fuel costs, and to stock the consortium of food banks that many of our Southern California mosques and nonprofits are part of.” said Oussama Jammal, secretary general of the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) in a statement.

Your continued support will allow Zakat Foundation of America to provide essentials to affected families.