Ramadan 2021: more than 1,000 volunteers help distribute 86,500 iftar meals in Dubai

Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department co-ordinates operation from 20 locations in city each day

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

A team is overseeing the distribution of charity meals during Ramadan in Dubai.

About 86,500 meals and 42,560 food baskets will be distributed during the nightly drive, thanks to more than 1,000 volunteers from the Watani Al Emarat Foundation.

The meals are delivered to workers' accommodation supervisors, who distribute them to workers before iftar.

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department is co-ordinating the operation, which takes place from 20 locations in the city each day, including Silicon Oasis, Al Quoz, Al Khawaneej and Jebel Ali.

The initiative aims to manage crowds and ensure compliance with Covid-19 precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The operation is being monitored by Dubai Police, which will issue fines to anyone who flouts rules on social distancing and the mandatory use of masks.

Director general of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, said people should donate through accredited charities and institutions that “have expertise in managing distribution of meals to large groups”.

Charities involved in the drive include the UAE Red Crescent Authority, the Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Dubai Charitable Society and the Dar Al Ber Society.

The operation is being carried out in co-operation with the Community Development Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai's Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs and the Department of Economic Development.

100 Million Meal campaign nears its target

About 86,500 meals and 42,560 food baskets will be distributed during the nightly drive. Courtesy, Dubai Media Office

In a separate campaign, the UAE is moving closer to a goal of funding 100 million meals in 20 countries across the region during the holy month, having achieved more than three quarters of its target in the first week.

The charity drive, which sends ingredients to families to prepare meals throughout Ramadan, has raised more than Dh78 million ($21.2m) to provide more than 78 million meals.

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

Hussain Sajwani is the latest high-profile figure to donate to the campaign, organisers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives say.

The Emirati chairman of Damac donated Dh1m.

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

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