#10MillionMeals

Sheikh Mohammed announces the launch of UAE’s biggest food distribution drive during Ramadan to ensure no one sleeps hungry or in need.

dubai — The UAE has launched a ‘10 million meals’ initiative — the nations’ biggest food distribution campaign — to support low-income families and individuals affected by the coronavirus outbreak across the country.

The campaign was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister

of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. She is also the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank.

“The ‘10 million meals’ campaign complements the rest of the country’s humanitarian campaigns to ensure no one sleeps hungry or in need in the UAE,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

“Providing food for everyone, especially with the approach of the Holy Month of Ramadan, is our priority during our battle against the pandemic,” he added, saying that Sheikha Hind will lead the noble cause of feeding the hungry.

In the UAE, no one sleeps hungry or in need. No one is left @HHShkMohd

Providing food for everyone, especially with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, is the UAE’s priority during the battle against the pandemic, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said.

He made the statement as his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, launched the nation’s biggest food distribution drive, ‘10 million meal’ campaign, to support low-income families and individuals affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak across the UAE.

“The campaign complements the rest of the country’s humanitarian campaigns to ensure no one sleeps hungry or in need in the UAE. It aims to reinforce social solidarity and cohesion in the UAE to enable us to emerge from the global crisis stronger. The public, private and humanitarian sectors are united today without leaving anyone behind,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

“Sheikha Hind, whose compassion and humanitarian efforts are widely-admired, will be the best to lead the humanitarian campaign during these challenging times. She will lead the noble cause of feeding the hungry throughout the Holy month of Ramadan in our nation, the nation of giving and peace,” he added.

Sheikha Hind said “Sheikh Mohammed’s directives to launch the campaign reflects part of his long and ongoing inspirational humanitarian journey”. “The UAE has demonstrated resilience and generosity during crises. Feeding the hungry throughout Ramadan allows us to practice compassion and kindness in this blessed month to overcome exceptional times united in peace,” she said.

“The ’10 million meals’ campaign serves a noble cause that captures our society’s authenticity and humanity, especially in times of crisis,” she added.

Drive to ensure no one goes hungry

Food suppliers and catering companies will ensure distributing food parcels to families and cooked meals, prepared in accordance with the UAE Food Bank safety guidelines, to labourers throughout Ramadan.

The campaign was launched in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the biggest threat facing humanity in decades that paralysed medical facilities across the world. The crisis has numerous economic and social repercussions, negatively impacting the global humanitarian scene, particularly vulnerable and underprivileged communities across the world.

Coinciding with Ramadan, the campaign strives to foster the values of generosity and benevolence and reinforcing the culture of solidarity and compassion, key aspects of the holy month, embedded in the core fabric of the UAE. The campaign reflects the UAE’s commitment to lending a helping hand to every person in need during crises. It also emphasises the essential role of the private sector in the country’s journey of humanitarian action and the necessity of implementing Corporate Social Responsibility.

How the campaign works

The campaign will be carried out by the UAE Food Bank, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, and UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) in collaboration with ministries, federal and local entities and humanitarian and charitable organisations in the UAE. The three entities, which fall under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), are tasked with receiving donations and technical and logistical support requests. The collaboration will help humanitarian organisations exchange information to build a comprehensive database of disadvantaged communities in need of assistance, ensuring a wide-reaching distribution.

The MBRGI will oversee the ’10 million meals’ campaign in collaboration with the Social Solidarity Fund Against Covid-19, which was launched earlier this month by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai to support the country’s efforts in combating the coronavirus outbreak.

The campaign complements the rest of the country’s humanitarian campaigns to ensure no one sleeps hungry or in need in the UAE. It aims to wdarity and cohesion in the UAE to enable us to emerge from the global crisis stronger.”

Sheikh Mohammed