Ramadan 2021: Ruler of Dubai sets out plan to give away 100 million meals

From donations of Dh10 to Dh500, everyone is urged to help feed people in need

Chefs at a restaurant in Deira prepare food for a labour accommodation camp on May 1, 2020, two months after the pandemic hit, leading to job losses and a global economic slowdown. This year, Dubai's 10 million meals campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. Pawan Singh / The NationalShow less

The UAE has set out a plan to fund 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region, in one of the biggest food drives of its kind.

Speaking on the eve of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid unveiled a major campaign to ensure people in need do not go hungry.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said the effect of the coronavirus pandemic continued to be felt.

He said there were 820 million people undernourished globally, including 52 million in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Fifty-two million people just four hours away from us [in UAE] are threatened with hunger

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

"Brothers and sisters, the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed many people to unprecedented survival challenges," he wrote on Twitter.

"Fifty-two million people just four hours away from us are threatened with hunger.

"Today, we launched a 100 million meals campaign. It is the largest campaign of its kind to feed people and distribute 100 million meals to 20 countries in the region.

"We will work with humanitarian associations, companies, businessmen and philanthropists in the UAE to send 100 million messages of goodness and love to the needy and the poor in the month of goodness.

"Distributing food is the best thing to do to bring us close to the month of fasting."

The campaign is an expansion of 2020's 10 Million Meals campaign, which helped people in UAE who lost jobs and saw salary cuts during the pandemic.

It also worked to feed people who would normally break their fast at free iftars at mosques and public places, which had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

In a broader regional drive this year, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan, Angola, Uganda and Egypt are among the countries who will benefit.

Speaking on Monday, Saeed Al Tayer, managing director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said the body had donated Dh10 million to the cause.

"Thanks to a benevolent leadership and carried forward by a generous people, we can assist those most in need, support the deprived and stand by the vulnerable during the holy month of Ramadan," he said.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) will coordinate with the Food Banking Regional Network and UN World Food Programme to reach the people who need food most this Ramadan.

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.

Last month, the UN refugee agency appealed for a major push for donations to its refugee zakat fund, which channels money from Muslims into camps and communities across the Middle East and Asia.

Officials said overall donations for refugees had dwindled, as governments redirected money towards tackling the pandemic in their own countries.

The UNHCR has projected a global budget of $9.1bn to help meet the needs of refugees and the displaced in 2021.

Within that figure, $2.7bn is needed in countries where it will be distributing zakat, providing support to 24.2 million people in Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Mauritania, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Somalia.

10 million meals campaign of 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