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 swept through the Palisades and neighboring communities beginning 7 January. They’re providing critical food and water distribution support to its growing displaced victims, now number nearly 200,000.

“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.

“We’re committed to delivering critical assistance to help relieve all communities stricken by this sudden, life-changing disaster,” he said.

At least four wildfires currently burning across Southern California have killed 11 and destroyed over 12,000 structures, including Masjid Al-Taqwa, a historically African American mosque in Altadena, California, that in just minutes it reduced to ashes. 

That’s one of more than a dozen places of worship fires damaged or destroyed, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Pasadena Jewish Temple, and at least 10 Protestant churches numbering among them.

“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.

Support our relief teams caring for the Palisades Fire’s victims and first responders.