LIFE was founded in 1992 by concerned Iraqi-American professionals in response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Iraq as a result of the 1991 Gulf War conflict. Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) has since become a 501(c)(3) non-profit/non-governmental organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and registered with United States Agency for International Development (USAID). LIFE dedicates itself to alleviating human suffering around the world regardless of race, color, religion, or cultural background. Our global organization strives to offer a variety of humanitarian, health, and educational services and programs to aid refugees and victims of natural or man-made disasters.

LIFE has established partnerships with many international NGO’s including UNDP, UNICEF, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Nour International Relief Aid, AmeriCares, Veterans For Peace, American Friend’s Service Committee (AFSC), Care International, and the Wheelchair Foundation. In March of 2003, LIFE became a member of the American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction), which is the largest alliance of American international NGO’s.

Since its founding, LIFE has provided over $50 million in humanitarian assistance to more than 13 million beneficiaries worldwide. Our programs started with providing basic emergency assistance to victims of manmade and natural disasters, then expanded to cover more areas including health, education, social, human and community development, and water & sanitation projects.

LIFE looks forward to expanding its partnerships with other NGOs in the effort to provide more efficient and sustainable human development programs. LIFE pledges that it will exert every possible effort to preserve its donors’ trust and to ensure the delivery of donations to those who are in need. As always, your donations are tax deductible.

Time Capsule

2006: UN awards LIFE the Habitat Grant (LIFE, through its Habitat Grant from the UN, was able to fund essential community development projects in Iraq)

2005: UAE Office Opens; Nazareth Office Opens; Partnership with IHH begins (IHH is the International Humanitarian Hilfsorganization based in Germany and provides emergency relief around the world)

2004: Jordan Office Opens

2003: Joined the Interaction Committee; Syria Office Opens; Partnership with UNICEF begins (UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund created to care for and nurture a better future for children across the world); Partnership with Qatar Charity begins

2002: Afghanistan Operations Begin (Orphan sponsorship begins)

2001: Pakistan Office Opens (Office opens as a result of the increasing number of Afghani refugees attempting to escape Afghanistan’s many hardships)

1999: Consultative status with UN (United Nations offers Grant Appeal to make LIFE a part of the International NGO Community)

1998: Name Changed to LIFE (was International Relief Association); Registered with USAID (USAID is the United States Agency for International Development improving life in countries around the world); Partnership with Veterans for Peace begins; Sierra Leone Office Opens (Office opens as a result of the increasing number of war-orphans and families in need)

1997: Iraq Office Opens (Official Iraq office opens in Baghdad)

1996: Went International; Partnership with AmeriCares begins (began helping those in Lebanon and Sierra Leone)

1994: Expanded to Michigan (LIFE moves Headquarters from California to Southfield, Michigan)

1993: Advanced ruling Federal Tax Exempt (LIFE is granted a tax exemption ID from the federal government)

1992: Founded in California (founded in December as a response to the Iraq war)