October 10th, 2024

Founded with a deeply personal mission, the Idris Foundation leverages technology, fashion, and innovation to transform the lives of refugees and displaced communities.

Imad Yassin, founder of the Idris Foundation, has built a humanitarian organisation rooted in both personal and professional experience. With over two decades in healthcare and technology, Yassin brings a unique perspective on how to efficiently deliver aid to the most vulnerable, creating lasting impact. His leadership exemplifies how innovation, fashion, and global partnerships can come together to support refugee communities, ensuring their health, education, and dignity are prioritized.

Idris Foundation  

Imad Yassin, you founded the Idris Foundation with a deeply personal mission. How did your background and experiences shape the ethos of the organization?

Having worked in both the healthcare and technology sectors for over 20 years, I’ve seen first-hand how access to critical resources can transform lives. My experience with start-ups has been pivotal in helping us democratize aid through the Idris Foundation, enabling us to be agile, innovative, and resourceful. With the support of visionary friends like Hatem Alakeel, we’ve delivered essential aid to children in refugee camps without the inefficiencies that often plague larger efforts. Our mission is to improve the lives of these children by implementing health and education programmes, leveraging our collective expertise and partnerships with local agencies on the ground.

Growing up between the Middle East and Europe and leading global initiatives has given me a unique perspective on the cultural sensitivities required to mobilize support across diverse communities. But none of this could have been achieved without the unwavering dedication of our incredible team of volunteers and trustees. Together, we are not just offering aid; we are building futures, creating hope, and making a lasting impact on the lives of children who need it most.

The Team Refugee T-shirt initiative is an inspiring blend of fashion and advocacy. How do you see fashion as a tool for social change, especially within refugee communities?

Oh wow, this was truly a dream come true for me! The T-shirts weren’t just clothing—they were a statement, a symbol that anyone, no matter their background, could be a star. From the start, we were committed to using locally sourced materials and infusing each design with a deep sense of East African artistry. That’s why collaborating with Efro & Co, under the brilliant creative direction of Dina Yassin, was so important to us.

What made this even more special was our decision to go beyond traditional models. Instead, we brought in individuals from the streets—people without papers, struggling to get by. We treated them like the stars they are, bringing them into the studio and giving them the spotlight. The result was breathtaking. Even Naomi Campbell shared our story in Vogue Arabia, a moment that felt like validation of our vision.

But the impact didn’t stop there. Every single profit from the sales of these T-shirts went directly towards initiatives that transformed the lives of children in refugee camps. That success allowed us to do more, leading to collaborations with incredible artists like Abdallah Alawadi and Mo Kalash, continuing our mission of turning fashion into a force for good. This project wasn’t just about making clothes; it was about making a difference and showing the world that art, fashion, and philanthropy can come together to create something truly powerful.

Your commitment to refugee support is evident. Can you share more about the long-term vision for empowering displaced communities through the Foundation’s programmes?

Oh, if you had asked me this question two years ago, I would have given you a clear and confident answer. Back then, we had a vision, a roadmap, and a sense of direction that felt certain. But with the devastating wars and instability sweeping through the region, that vision has been shaken. The ground beneath us has shifted, and we’ve had to return to the drawing board.

Yet, in the midst of this chaos, our core belief remains unshaken: every child in the refugee camps deserves access to quality health and education, no matter where they are or what obstacles stand in the way. This crisis has only reinforced our commitment. The path may have changed, but our vision of a future where these children are given the chance to thrive—against all odds—remains our driving force. We will not let them be forgotten. We will keep fighting for them.

What is the “click of commitment” you experienced when founding the Idris Foundation, and how do you maintain that sense of purpose in the face of such global challenges?

I remember it vividly—the day my father passed away. Amid our grief, we uncovered a secret legacy: an orphanage he had built, never mentioning it to anyone. I felt compelled to visit refugee camps, drawn by his quiet example. On one such visit, I met a family where the father was blind. We asked what they needed, and their answer was simple yet heartbreaking: a toilet. He wanted nothing more than to maintain his dignity, to not rely on his wife every time he needed help.

When I stepped out, someone asked if I would sponsor the construction of the toilet. I said no. Instead, I wanted to take him to the nearest clinic, to see if his eyesight could be restored. Three weeks later, I received a video of him walking, his sight fully regained. I couldn’t hold back my tears—they were tears of pure joy. In that moment, I realised that helping people, truly changing lives, was possible. My father’s quiet, hidden legacy had become my own, and I knew from then on that I wanted to be a part of that change.

Less is more or more is more?

In 2020, during the harsh winter of the pandemic, our community tragically lost two lives due to the unforgiving cold. It was a moment that deeply moved me, and since then, I’ve made a promise to myself. My birthday, which falls in January, is no longer about receiving gifts. Instead, I ask my friends to join me in collecting clothes they no longer need, and I do the same. Together, we head to the local park, where we directly share these items with the homeless community. For me, this act is a reminder that when it comes to kindness, more is always more—there’s no such thing as giving too much.

This journey has shaped my perspective on both fashion and life. Fashion, like life, is ever-evolving. There were times when I embraced extravagance, revelling in the “more is more” mindset, only to later discover the beauty in simplicity and minimalism. Now, I find myself somewhere in the middle, balancing the richness of excess with the elegance of restraint. Just as fashion shifts and adapts, so too does life. It’s about finding harmony in the ebb and flow, and through acts of kindness, I’ve learned that the most profound statement we can make is through our compassion.