Ramadan 2022: UAE charity donates Dh20m to One Billion Meals campaign

The project encourages people to donate money to feed the needy and will run until target is met

The 100 Million Meals campaign has successfully distributed 10,868,400 meals in the UAE, in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank. All photos: UAE Government Media Office

Organisers said there were a total of 362,280 beneficiaries in the UAE, made up of 182,916 low-income families and 179,364 low-income individuals.

The 100 Million Meals campaign aims to provide food to those in need across more than 30 countries.

People involved in the project are hard at work.

Generous public donations have helped to raise enough money to exceed initial targets.

Sara Al Nuaimi, director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global initiative.

Eng. Dawood Al Hajri, vice chairman of the board of trustees of the UAE Food Bank.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment has donated Dh20 million ($5.44bn) to the One Billion Meals campaign, Wam news agency reported on Sunday.

Announced last month, One Billion Meals encourages people to donate money to feed the needy. It will run until the target is met.

The campaign aims to help the vulnerable in 50 countries, supporting efforts to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end hunger by 2030.

The One Billion Meals initiative is an extension of the 100 Million Meals campaign, which was launched during Ramadan 2021. At the time, it successfully distributed 220 million meals across 47 nations – double its initial target – with the participation of MBRCH teams.

During Ramadan 2020, a 10 Million Meals campaign supported communities hit by Covid-19 across the UAE.

Last year's 100 Million Meals campaign provided food parcels and vouchers to millions of people across four continents, including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Kosovo, Brazil, Benin, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Angola, Sierra Leone, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the total was reached thanks to the generosity of 185,000 donors, from inside and outside the UAE.

On Sunday, the Emirates Red Crescent distributed hundreds of tonnes of Ramadan ration in Yemen. Around seven million people will benefit from the donation drive and iftar programmes in Shabwa, Hadramaut, Taiz, Hodeidah, and Socotra.

Meanwhile, a Sharjah charity distributed 30,000 meals to fasting people in the emirate on the first day of the holy month.

How to donate

The One Billion Meals campaign website has details of several options for donors.

Money can be pledged online, either monthly or by a one-off donation. People can donate by SMS message through Etisalat or du or money can be sent via bank transfer.

For big monetary donations and related enquiries, people can contact the campaign’s team on 800 9999.