100 Million Meals campaign: UAE collects 78 per cent of the total amount in first week

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

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

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

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

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

Children smile for the camera after receiving a food packet.

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

A worker gives a food box to a lady

Food boxes being unloaded from a truck

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

The UAE  collected Dh78million in the first week of launching the 100 Million Meals campaign, authorities said on Saturday.

The money will enable 78 million meals to be distributed to people in 20 countries.

“Raising more than half of the targeted donations in less than a week since the launch of the campaign reflects the keenness of the UAE community to support the country’s humanitarian efforts to provide relief to people in need across the world,” said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and secretary general of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

The Emirates will pay for 100 million meals during Ramadan.

Donations poured in from individuals and companies, inside and outside the UAE, since the campaign was launched on April 11.

Every Dh1 donated helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

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.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which organised the 100 Million Meals campaign, has joined up with international and local partners in each beneficiary country to deliver the parcels.

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

UAE residents and citizens can 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.