UAE authorities have started distributing food parcels to those in need in Jordan, Pakistan and Egypt.
The Emirates will fund 100 million meals in 20 countries across the region during Ramadan, in one of the biggest food drives of its kind.
Low-income 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 Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organiser of the 100 Million Meals campaign, has joined up with international and local partners in each beneficiary countries to deliver the parcels.
Donations have poured in from individuals and companies, both inside and outside the UAE, since the campaign launched on April 11.
Every Dh1 donated helps to provide one meal in countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The UN World Food Programme will distribute cash vouchers raised from the campaign to provide 20.8 million meals in refugee camps in Jordan over the next six weeks.
As a strategic partner of the campaign, the World Food Programme is helping to provide food support through money transfers and cash vouchers for low-income communities in Palestine and in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, in collaboration with the UAE embassy, has begun distributing food parcels to target groups in Pakistan.
Essential food items such as flour, rice, lentils, red beans, sugar, oil, dates and tea have so far been distributed in three villages and neighbourhoods of Islamabad.
Low-income families and disadvantaged individuals across Egypt received staples such as rice, oil, beans and flour. Food parcels distributed to families are sufficient to prepare between 240 and 300 meals throughout Ramadan.
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 with Etisalat and Du numbers can donate through their phone providers.
To donate, send 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 to the campaign’s call centre on 800 4999.
10 million meals campaign 2020 – in pictures
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A worker holds a food pack from Dubai's Beit Al Khair Society, as part of the Ruler of Dubai's 2020 campaign to deliver 10 million meals to low income residents. This year, the campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National -
Volunteers distribute food packages in Dubai in May 2020, as the social and economic impact of the pandemic is felt -
Restaurants across the city joined the campaign to feed workers in the absence of daily Ramadan iftars at mosques and in light of job losses and salary reductions -
Staff at Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira, Dubai box up fresh and dried food -
This box contains biryani, laban, fruit, dates and water -
Staff and workers practise social distancing -
Staff at Al Nadeg in Deira prepare fresh produce for the campaign -
Fresh roasted chicken is prepared for the next batch of boxes -
The 10 million meals project was brought in to replace the free iftars run by mosques across the country, which were halted due to the coronavirus -
Staff of Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira prepare the food to be delivered -
1,000 boxes were readied for this particular camp -
Roast chicken is prepared for delivery -
Restaurants across the city are volunteering their kitchens and staff as part of the campaign
