This is UAE, says sheikh MOHAMMED
as ‘100M Meals’ drive collects more than twice its target
The ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign came at a critical time when hunger is rapidly soaring around the world ... This campaign sets a powerful example to the world of how a community can come together in the face of hunger.” Mageed Yahia, WFP director in UAE
The objectives of ‘100 Million Meals’ were ambitious to match the magnitude of hardship that COVID-19 has brought to vulnerable populations across the world. The campaign’s biggest success is proving that humanitarian work in the UAE has no limit.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The campaign complements the objectives of the FBRN to tackle world hunger...since its inception in Dubai in 2013. The network is an active partner in distributing food parcels to 13 out of the 30 countries.”
Dr Moez El Shohdi, founder and CEO, Food Banking Regional Network
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-president and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, praised the UAE’S giving spirit, while announcing that the Ramadan campaign has secured 216 million meals, more than double its target, for people in 30 countries across four continents.
The 100 Million Meals campaign, the region’s biggest food distribution drive, concluded on Saturday, after drawing massive donations from 385,000 individuals, companies, businessmen and philanthropists from across 51 countries through various donation channels and two charity auctions, the Dubai Ruler stated on Saturday.
Sheikh Mohammed took to Twitter to state that the overwhelming community engagement and record turnout of individuals and companies who donated to the campaign, confirm once again that the UAE will always remain a global capital of philanthropy. “The record donations and support to ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign is a testament that strategic and sustainable humanitarian work has become an established culture in the UAE.”
He added, “the objectives of ‘100 Million Meals’ were ambitious to match the magnitude of hardship that COVID-19 has brought to vulnerable populations across the world.. The campaign’s biggest success is proving that humanitarian work in the UAE has no limit.”
Funds raised will help distribute food parcels, equivalent to 216 million meals, to people in need across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
Low-income families, orphans, widows and parents of refugee children in several countries have already started preparing their own nutritious meals during the holy month of Ramadan as distribution of food parcels began in cooperation with local and international partners.
Distribution of food parcels, carrying essential easy-to-store food items, will continue over the next three months to reach beneficiaries in the 30 targeted countries. Every Dh1 donated helped provide one meal in beneficiary countries.
The campaign’s organiser Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) is teaming up with 12 food banks and nine humanitarian and charitable organizations to deliver food aid to the doorstep of underserved homes in targeted countries.
The campaign, which ran for 28 days, brought together all segments of the society ranging from the art community and car enthusiasts, to prominent businessmen, government and private entities, and members of the public - inside and outside the UAE. Massive donations continued to pour in even after the campaign achieved its 100 million meals target within the first 10 days of its launch.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-general of MBRGI, said the overwhelming success of the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign reflects the deep connection of the UAE community and institutions with the humanitarian and relief initiatives launched by Sheikh Mohammed.
“In the UAE, there is an innate desire to help people in need,” Al Gergawi said. “It was clear to see, from the number and range of donors, that the entire UAE community is galvanised by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s forwardlooking vision to institutionalise humanitarian work across the nation. ”
Dr Moez El Shohdi, founder and CEO of the Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN) stressed: “The campaign complements the objectives of the FBRN to tackle world hunger and malnutrition since its inception in Dubai in 2013. The network is an active partner in distributing food parcels in 13 out of the 30 countries”.
Mageed Yahia, World Food Programme director in the UAE and representative to the GCC, said, “The ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign came at a critical time when hunger is rapidly soaring around the world as a result of conflict, climate shocks and the impact of Covid-19.”
“Today, more than 270 million people face life-threatening levels of hunger. This campaign sets a powerful example to the world of how a community can come together in the face of hunger,” he said.
Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, Advisor of the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, said “The UAE’S humanitarian projects portray the meanings of benevolence, compassion on which the UAE was founded and establish solidarity with those in need around the world, regardless of gender, religion or race.”
It was clear to see...that the entire UAE community is galvanised by His Highness Sheik hM oh am med bin Rashid’s ... vision to institutionalise humanitarian work across the nation.” Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs