How talabat and Deliveroo customers in the UAE can help to support Pakistan flood victims

The food delivery apps are offering easy ways for users to donate directly to relief efforts

A boy wades through floodwater at Sohbatpur, Balochistan province. AFP

Millions of people were displaced by the floods in Pakistan. AFP

Basic food is in short supply in many areas. EPA

Motorways in Sehwan are flooded, making road travel impossible. Reuters

People take shelter inside a school in the aftermath of floods in Karachi. EPA

Much of the country remains submerged after torrential monsoon rain. Reuters

Displaced families queue for relief aid in Jaffarabad. AP

Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie attends a briefing at the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre in Islamabad. She said she was horrified by the aftermath of the flooding. Reuters

A pregnant woman carries water as she take a refuge at a camp in Jaffarabad. AP

Displaced flood-affected families travel on a tractor trailer with their belongings near a makeshift camp at Dera Allah Yar in Jaffarabad. AFP

Edhi rescue workers search for bodies of flood victims who were washed away in the Indus river near Hyderabad, Sindh province. EPA

Food rations to be distributed to flood-affected people are sorted in Larkana. EPA

About 160 bridges and 5,000km of roads have been destroyed or damaged, 3.5 million acres of crops affected and about 800,000 livestock lost nationwide. AFP

More than 33 million people have been affected by floods in Pakistan. AP

The UAE’s food industry is rallying to support emergency relief efforts in Pakistan as the country faces its worst flooding in recent history.

On Friday, talabat launched its partnership with the World Food Programme to deliver food assistance to those affected in the country. Customers are able to donate directly through the delivery app, and talabat has pledged to match all customer donations made towards the cause until Sunday.

The World Food Programme is on the ground in Pakistan helping to supply meals to 1.9 million people affected by the floods, however, it says it needs to raise more than $152 million to meet demands.

Customers can donate through the Give Back section of the app by selecting any of the dedicated menu items on the World Food Programme option, ranging from Dh2 for a one-day meal donation to a monthly donation of Dh63. All funds raised will be donated to the organisation’s emergency response operation to support the affected families.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy in Pakistan,” Tatiana Rahal, managing director of talabat UAE said. “It is a catastrophic natural disaster. We’re humbled to be in a position where we can utilise our tech for good and be able to offer immediate support towards flood relief efforts by connecting customers to trusted international humanitarian organisations such as the World Food Programme.

“Giving back to the community is a big part of our ethos and we’re glad to be able to do our part by matching donations to further support this cause.”

The move follows a campaign launched by Deliveroo earlier this month to support Pakistani flood victims. Together with Emirates Red Crescent, the food delivery app launched the One Hand for Pakistan crisis relief initiative, allowing customers to make donations through a dedicated page.

Users are able to donate from Dh20 to Dh500 until October 12, with all funds raised going directly to Emirates Red Crescent to help families in Pakistan.

Mohammed Ahmad Al Yammahi of Emirates Red Crescent, said: “Having a page dedicated to ‘One Hand for Pakistan’ on the Deliveroo app is a great opportunity for customers in the UAE to do their part with the click of a button.

“With the help of Deliveroo, we hope to continue raising awareness for this cause and look forward to bringing the UAE community together to contribute to flood relief efforts for Pakistan.”

This weekend, Dubai restaurant Mama Rama will also be hosting a series of special brunches and dinners in partnership with Moreish by K, with proceeds being donated to organisations supporting flood relief efforts, including Emirates Red Crescent.

On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be a brunch between midday and 4pm, and a dinner from 7pm onwards, priced at Dh195 per person. The south Asian canteen will also be collecting donations across the weekend.