Thousands of refugees in Bangladesh receive food vouchers from UAE

Electronic vouchers will provide enough food for 6.4 million meals

About 36,000 refugees have received vouchers for the equivalent of 6.4 million meals in total.

The equivalent of 6.4 million meals has been distributed to people in need at refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Vouchers were given to about 36,000 refugees by the United World Food Programme as part of the 100 Million Meals campaign.

They will allow recipients to buy fresh food from shops in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Food security in Cox’s Bazar remains a top priority with 96 per cent of all refugees being vulnerable and entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance

Mageed Yahia,
World Food Programme

Distribution on the ground was co-ordinated by a network of local authorities.

The WFP is in partnership with the campaign’s organiser, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to support the distribution of food aid in Palestine, Jordan and Bangladesh.

The 100 million meals campaign aims to deliver much-needed food to 30 countries across the region.

“Collaborating with WFP has enabled swift and accurate food aid distribution in Jordan, Bangladesh and Palestine using iris scans and integrated databases to target people in dire need,” said MBRGI’s director Sara Al Nuaimi.

“MBRGI is keen to forge partnerships with regional and international organisations to provide essential needs to the largest scope of beneficiaries across the world.”

The 100 Million Meals campaign was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, shortly before the start of Ramadan, with the lofty goal of providing 100 million meals to people in 30 countries.

But it more than doubled its target, with generous donations from the public raising enough money to pay for 216 million meals.

“We are grateful for MBRGI’s valuable contribution in Bangladesh that comes at a time when Rohingya refugees are more vulnerable than at any point since the 2017 influx,” said Mageed Yahia, WFP director in the UAE.

“Food security in Cox’s Bazar remains a top priority, with 96 per cent of all refugees being moderately to highly vulnerable and entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance.”

100 million meals campaign - in pictures

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