Adnoc and Emirates Red Crescent to distribute thousands of meals this Ramadan

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company staff will contribute towards iftar meals and Ramadan boxes for those in need

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: N/A: Ramadan. Ramadan decorations in Downtown, Abu Dhabi. Monday, April 27th, 2020. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Adnoc employees will donate funds towards thousands of iftar meals over Ramadan, the company said on Tuesday.

Officials said the food would be distributed to families and individuals in need by the Emirates Red Crescent.

The scheme is the latest in a growing number of humanitarian initiatives aimed at helping those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Social distancing and other public health measures have meant charities have been unable to provide traditional assistance during the holy month in their usual way.

“Ramadan is a month of sharing and compassion and Adnoc is pleased to partner with Emirates Red Crescent to strengthen the reach of our annual Ramadan campaign and to enable our employees to give back to our local communities during these unprecedented times,” said Omar Al Suwaidi, executive director of the company's executive office directorate.

Adnoc runs annual programmes during Ramadan to support UAE communities.

More than 1,500 of its employees have signed up as volunteers to help tackle the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

Staff will work with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority to support healthcare workers in the field and distribute vital supplies to the community.

The Emirates Red Crescent will manage the donations, Adnoc said.

Earlier, a 10 million meals campaign in the Emirates announced it had already crossed its initial meals target following a huge outpouring of donations in just a week.