At Al-Khair Foundation (AKF), our mission to alleviate poverty and provide emergency relief is built upon a fundamental respect for human dignity. We recognise that modern slavery and human trafficking are grave violations of human rights that disproportionately affect the vulnerable communities we serve. Consequently, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of forced labour, servitude, or exploitation within our own operations and throughout our global supply chains.
Al-Khair Foundation is a leading UK-based international NGO, registered with the Charity Commission (No. 1126808, England and Wales and SC042234, Scotland) and Companies House (No. 04819971, England and Wales).
With an annual turnover exceeding the statutory £36 million threshold, we acknowledge our responsibility to be transparent about the measures we take to prevent exploitation.
Our reach extends across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with the United Kingdom being our headquarters. Our work, spanning emergency disaster response, sustainable water solutions, poverty alleviation and educational support, relies on a vast network of employees, volunteers, and partners. We are committed to ensuring that every individual contributing to our mission is treated with fairness and respect, and in full accordance with international labour standards.
Supply Chain Due Diligence
The nature of international humanitarian aid requires a complex supply chain involving the procurement of food, medical supplies, construction materials, and logistics services. To mitigate the risk of modern slavery in these sectors, Al-Khair Foundation employs a rigorous procurement framework.
Our suppliers are required to confirm their adherence to the Modern Slavery Act as a non-negotiable condition of partnering with us. This is managed through:
Detailed Due Diligence
Prospective suppliers must undergo a screening process that evaluates their labour practices and ethical standards.
Contractual Accountability
Our agreements include specific clauses regarding anti-slavery legislation, granting Al-Khair Foundation the right to audit facilities and records where risks are identified.
Ethical Sourcing:
We prioritise partners who demonstrate a commitment to the "Supplier Sustainability and Ethical Code of Conduct," aligning ourselves with global best practices through inter-agency collaboration.
Policies and Safeguarding Culture
Our fight against modern slavery is supported by a robust internal policy framework. Our Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy is complemented by our Safeguarding and Whistleblowing policies.
Because our work often takes place in conflict zones or areas of extreme poverty, our Safeguarding Committee provides executive oversight to ensure our "zero-tolerance" approach is translated into field-level action.
These ensure that any member of staff, volunteer, or beneficiary can report concerns regarding exploitation safely and anonymously.
Capacity Building and Training
We believe that vigilance is the product of education. Al-Khair Foundation invests in training for our procurement teams and field staff to help them recognise the indicators of forced labour and human trafficking. By fostering an organisational culture of accountability, we ensure that our staff are equipped to protect not only our beneficiaries but also those working within our supply networks.
Monitoring and Future Progress
Al-Khair Foundation views the prevention of modern slavery as an evolving challenge. We continuously review our effectiveness by monitoring our supplier assessments and internal audit findings. Looking ahead, we remain committed to:
- Strengthening our risk-based approach to supplier site visits.
- Expanding our training modules to include deeper insights into localised trafficking risks in the regions where we operate.
- Collaborating with international humanitarian bodies to stay at the forefront of ethical procurement standards.
Approval
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Al-Khair Foundation's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st July 2025. It has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.