From Sonam Kapoor to Steve Harvey and Huda Kattan: All the celebrities helping to promote the UAE's 100 Million Meals initiative

The humanitarian drive aims to deliver food to needy people across 20 countries during Ramadan

From left: Sonam Kapoor, Steve Harvey and Huda Kattan are the latest celebrities helping to promote the UAE's 100 Million Meals campaign. Bulgari, Huda Beauty, Pawan Singh / The National

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor and US TV presenter Steve Harvey are the latest celebrities to join beauty mogul Huda Kattan in promoting the UAE's 100 Million Meals initiative.

One of the biggest food drives of its kind, the project by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives aims to deliver 100 million meals to needy people across 20 countries during Ramadan.

“I am proud to be joining the UAE and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in their #100MillionMeals campaign which is providing food support for millions of disadvantaged individuals and families in more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. People across the world can donate with a click of a button,” Kapoor posted in a video on Instagram.

Harvey, a regular visitor to Dubai, posted a video of himself along with his wife Marjorie and British artist Sacha Jafri.

“Marjorie and I are honoured to be part of this initiative. I think if we all get together we can end worldwide hunger. Right now we need everybody to join in and help raise money. Let’s do it,” Harvey said.

Jafri, whose Guinness World Records-breaking art canvas sold for a whopping $62 million last month, added: "Sadly malnutrition and hunger ends more child lives than anything worldwide. Today, together, we aim to make a difference and end world hunger."

Senegalese-American singer Akon, another Dubai regular, also posted a video encouraging his fans to donate. “We’re doing our part in helping those in need. Each one of us can make a difference,” he said.

Akon also toured the Dubai Expo 2020 site last week. “What a beauty. Looking forward to opening on October 1, 2021. Well done TeamDubai,” he posted on Instagram along with a video.

Last week, Huda Beauty founder Kattan, pledged to donate one million meals to the 100 Million Meals initiative. Taking to Instagram, the Iraqi-American entrepreneur said she wanted to "take part in this humbling humanitarian aid initiative by [the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives], who will be distributing food parcels to disadvantaged individuals during the blessed month of Ramadan".

A number of UAE personalities, including TV and radio presenters, have also joined the campaign since it was launched on April 11, right before Ramadan.

On Wednesday, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives announced it had received more than Dh86.8 million in donations, and that it is approaching 90 per cent of its target.

Donations have poured in from far and wide, from businesses and high-profile figures to caring members of the public, to provide help where it is needed most.

Poor families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have started receiving ingredients that will help them prepare meals throughout the holy month.

The website set up for the campaign allows people to donate as little as Dh10 to fund 10 meals, rising to Dh500 or more.

Click through the gallery below to see some of the work done so far via the 100 Million Meals campaign:

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  The UAE has funded more than 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region during Ramadan. Pictured are youngsters in Egypt. All photos by Wam

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  Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organiser of the campaign, has tied up with international and local partners in each of the beneficiary countries to deliver the food parcels

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  Cash vouchers are being given to low-income communities in Palestine and in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh

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  Staples such as rice, oil, beans, beans and flour are included in the food parcels, which is sufficient to prepare between 240 and 300 meals throughout Ramadan

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  Children smile for the camera after receiving a food packet.

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  Low-income families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have started receiving food boxes.

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  A worker gives a food box to a lady

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  Food boxes being unloaded from a truck

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  Workers packing food boxes to be delivered to the needy during Ramadan

How to donate in the UAE

UAE residents and citizens can also donate through the phone providers Etisalat and du.

To donate, text the word “meal” to 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

Larger donations can be made via the campaign’s call centre on 800 4999.

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