Ramadan 2021: UAE reaches target of 100 million meals in 10 days

The UAE officially reached its target of raising Dh100 million for the 100 Million Meals campaign in only 10 days. Dr Abdulkader Sankari, chairman of Sankari Investment Group, and his sons donated the final Dh5 million. The money will enable 100 million meals to be distributed to people in 30 countries, authorities said on Thursday. A website set up for the campaign allowed the public to donate as little as Dh10 to fund 10 meals, rising to Dh500 or more. The total was reached thanks to the generosity of 185,000 donors, which included individuals and companies, inside and outside the UAE. Online and SMS donations totalled Dh11m, while direct bank transfers to the campaign’s account amounted to Dh40m. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai unveiled the campaign on April 11. "We will work with humanitarian associations, companies, businessmen and philanthropists in the UAE to send 100 million messages of goodness and love to the needy and the poor in the month of goodness," he said on Twitter. "Distributing food is the best thing to do to bring us close to the month of fasting." Meals will be distributed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which joined up with several international and local partners in each beneficiary country to deliver the parcels, including the UN World Food Programme. The campaign’s success reflects the inherent humanitarian values that run deep through UAE society, said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and secretary general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. "The selfless desire of the people of UAE to contribute to the campaign mirrors the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid ... to transform sustainable and systematic charity and humanitarian work into a community culture in the UAE," he said. “Besides achieving its target, the 100 Million Meals campaign has created a nationwide social momentum that reflected the culture of philanthropy deeply rooted in the lifestyle of people in the UAE, boosting the country’s pioneering status in the field of humanitarian work." Every Dh1 donated helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Poor families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have already started receiving ingredients that will help them prepare meals throughout the holy month. In collaboration with the UN’s World Food Programme, 20 per cent of all food parcels will be secured in refugee camps in Palestine, Jordan and Bangladesh. More funds are expected to be raised at a live, in-person charity auction at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai on April 24. Rare artworks by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Nelson Mandela and Salvador Dali will be sold, along with a piece of a Kaaba cover, embroidered in gold and silver, donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Actor Will Smith will also reveal a collaborative painting with Dubai-based British artist Sacha Jafri. Simultaneously, there will be a silent auction of items including signed jerseys from sporting heroes, and extraordinary experiences, held from April 20 to 30. The auctions are organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. UAE residents and citizens can still donate to the 100 Million Meals campaign in four simple ways. 1. On the campaign's website 2. By making a transfer to the designated bank account through Dubai Islamic Bank (AE08 0240 0015 2097 7815 201) 3. Sending “Meal” to one of the following numbers: 1034 for a Dh10 contribution 1035 for a Dh50 contribution 1036 for a Dh100 contribution 1037 for a Dh300 contribution 1038 for a Dh500 contribution 4. By contacting the campaign call centre on the toll-free number 800 4999.

Ramadan 2021: UAE reaches target of 100 million meals in 10 days

Donations poured in from individuals and companies since the campaign began on April 11