Life for Relief and Development (LIFE)is a global humanitarian organization headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, USA. Established in 1992, LIFE is dedicated to alleviating human suffering and providing essential aid to people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion, or cultural background. Over the past three decades, LIFE has distributed over $595 million in humanitarian aid across more than 55 countries.
LIFE’s mission encompasses a wide range of services, including emergency relief, orphan sponsorship, health and wellness programs, water and sanitation projects, and community development initiatives. The organization prides itself on its transparency and accountability, holding a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. With a consultative status at the United Nations, LIFE continues to make significant strides in supporting vulnerable communities worldwide.
Global Initiatives
Under the leadership of its President/CEO, Dr. Hany Saqr, LIFE has expanded its reach to 55 countries and growing its programs to aid more people. The organization has distributed nearly $600 million in aid, earned a 99% rating on Charity Navigator, and is recognized as one of the top humanitarian organizations in the U.S.
LIFE’s key focus areas include emergency relief, education, healthcare, clean water, orphan sponsorship, refugee assistance and refugee assistance.
LIFE’s healthcare initiatives have had a profound impact, with over 16 million in medical aid distributed worldwide in 2023 alone. LIFE also partners with other major organizations to maximize its impact. For example, its partnership with World Medical Relief has seen 77 large shipping containers full of medical supplies distributed worldwide since 2018 which has helped over a million people have access to medical aid.
The organization’s clean water projects, including the construction of wells in underserved regions, have improved access to safe drinking water for countless communities. Over 11,000 orphans are currently sponsored through LIFE, emergency aid was provided to 27,000 people in 2023 and winter relief was given to 9,000 individuals this past winter, to name a few accomplishments.
Through Dr Saqr’s vision and leadership, LIFE continues to increase and elevate its humanitarian efforts, ensuring that each initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also creates a foundation for sustainable development, empowering communities to thrive in the long term.
A Humanitarian Leader
Dr. Hany Saqr’s professional journey began in medicine, where his focus was on individual patient care. After earning his medical degree, he transitioned into academia as a professor, teaching and mentoring young doctors.
Dr Saqr has lived and travelled all over the world. It was during this time that he saw so much suffering in the world and felt compelled to help. He knew that a larger impact could be made on entire communities.
His passion for education and healthcare fueled his interest in broader, systemic changes that could uplift underserved regions, as well as his many decades of work on the boards of many non-profit organizations.
The shift from academia to humanitarian work was a natural progression for Dr. Saqr. The opportunity to join Life for Relief and Development came at a crucial time when he was ready to move beyond the classroom and operating room to take on a leadership role that would allow him to address both immediate needs and long-term community development.
As President/CEO of LIFE, Dr. Saqr uses his medical background and academic experience to guide the organization in providing emergency relief, as well as sustainable development solutions in education, healthcare, and access to clean water.
The Leader’s Approach
What sets Dr. Hany Saqr apart as a leader is his unique blend of compassion and strategic thinking. With a background in medicine, he has always been driven by a desire to help people heal. Over time, however, he realized that true impact goes beyond individual treatment and requires addressing the root causes of challenges like poverty, education deficits, and healthcare crises.
Dr. Saqr’s guiding principles include collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Collaboration is essential in humanitarian work, as no single person or organization can tackle the world’s issues alone. He prioritizes partnerships with local communities, governments, and international agencies to amplify LIFE’s efforts. Transparency is equally important—he believes that donors, partners, and beneficiaries should have a clear view of how resources are utilized. Lastly, innovation drives LIFE’s mission forward, with the use of tools like satellite imagery for disaster/conflict assessment and making mobile classrooms being prime examples of thinking outside the box.
Treading through Challenges
One of the most significant challenges Dr. Saqr faced as a leader was during LIFE’s recent work in Gaza. The ongoing conflict made it difficult to provide consistent aid due to restricted access and overwhelming needs. At one point, medical supplies faced political and logistical roadblocks, delaying their delivery to the area.
To overcome this, Dr. Saqr adopted a persistent yet flexible approach. LIFE collaborated with local NGOs, developed new shipping routes, and partnered with international agencies that had different access permissions. Throughout the process, communication with donors was essential and a main priority, keeping them informed of the challenges and reassuring them of the continued efforts to provide aid. LIFE successfully delivered supplies and continues to today, proving its capacity to navigate in high-risk regions.
Making Significant Contributions to the Society
Much like the universe, which is in a constant state of expansion, Dr. Saqr believes that our journeys reflect this same principle on a smaller scale. For Dr. Saqr, life is about growth and evolution.
Taking Life for Relief and Development from its humble beginning to today, being one of the largest and most revered humanitarian organizations in the U.S.A., has been an incredible accomplishment for Dr. Saqr.
The more supporters, collaborations, projects, and countries that LIFE is able to reach, the more good it can do. It is for that reason that expansion continues to be a large focus of Dr. Saqr’s work and one of the greatest achievements in his career.
Fostering a Culture of Growth and Collaboration
At LIFE, Dr. Saqr encourages a culture of curiosity and flexibility. He believes innovation starts with asking questions and challenging the status quo.
Adaptability is also a key focus, given the ever-changing landscape of humanitarian work. Dr Saqr promotes a mindset of learning from setbacks and being ready to change courses when necessary.
This constant improvement and growth mindset means always asking, “How can we make our work even better?” which allows for a steady increase in the quality and effectiveness of LIFE’s work.
For personal growth, Dr. Saqr dedicates time to reading, attending leadership seminars, and networking with other leaders. He remains open to feedback, believing that there is always something new to learn.
Reflection is another important strategy for him. By taking time to evaluate what’s working and what can be improved, this continues to enhance his leadership abilities.
Additionally, mentoring others helps him solidify his understanding of leadership while encouraging critical thinking about his own style.
By emphasizing communication and trust Dr. Saqr ensures that his team feels heard and respected through regular meetings and an open-door policy. When people feel valued, they are more motivated and engaged in their work.
Collaboration is a key element of LIFE’s culture. Dr. Saqr encourages cross-departmental teamwork and provides opportunities for teams to share ideas. Celebrating successes, big and small, helps to build morale and builds a sense of collective achievement.
Taking Tough Calls
Dr. Saqr had to make a tough decision during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis affected every part of the globe, and LIFE was faced with a sudden surge in demand for relief across multiple regions. With healthcare systems collapsing and communities struggling with food shortages, the organization had to prioritize where and how to allocate its resources amidst global chaos.
Dr. Saqr approached the challenge by taking a strategic approach. He convened an emergency task force and relied on both internal experts and external partners, such as local health officials and global aid organizations, to gather information on the most critical regions and the resources required. The decision he had to make was whether to focus LIFE’s efforts on delivering medical supplies, like ventilators and PPE or to focus on food distribution in regions where starvation was becoming a critical issue due to lockdowns.
For the Leaders of Tomorrow
Dr Saqr advises aspiring leaders, “Leadership is about service, not titles or accolades.” He encourages them to remain adaptable while staying grounded in their core values. Collaboration is another critical component of success, as no leader succeeds alone. Surrounding oneself with people who challenge, support, and share a vision is key to achieving long-term goals.”
He also shares the qualities that a dynamic leader must possess like compassion, adaptability, and vision.
“Compassion drives a leader to care deeply for both their team and the people they serve, putting others ahead of himself.
Adaptability is essential in a world that changes rapidly, requiring leaders to be flexible and open to new approaches.
Vision sets great leaders apart, as it enables them to see the bigger picture and anticipate future challenges and opportunities.
A leader must also inspire their team with this vision, guiding everyone toward their common goal.”
Expanding the Impact
Looking ahead, Dr. Saqr envisions Life for Relief and Development expanding its reach and deepening its impact. With global challenges like world hunger, conflicts, and pandemics continuing to evolve, LIFE must be prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently. He envisions the organization innovating further in areas like portable education and 3D prosthetic printing, bringing previously inaccessible services to vulnerable populations.
Rapid Fires:
Favourite Book
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
One Word to Describe Personality
Compassionate
Most Important Lesson
Always listen more than you speak; understanding others is key to solving problems.
Favourite Productivity Hack
Prioritization—knowing what needs to be done now and what can wait.
Best Advice Received
Lead by example, not by instruction.
Favorite Quote
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Quote: “Life for Relief and Development is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to providing aid and development for vulnerable populations worldwide.”
Quote: “Seeing communities gain access to clean water or hearing children express their gratitude for educational supplies are the moments that truly move and drive him.”
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