ERC’s free iftar meals put smiles on workers’ faces

Preparing and delivering 1.2 million iftar meals to homes is no easy task. But Emirates Red Crescent makes it happen each holy month with an efficient, tried and tested system.

The organisation distributes 45,745 food boxes to 218 locations in the country on every evening of Ramadan.

Iftar tents are banned this year to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

But iftar meals are still offered free of charge to thousands of workers, vulnerable families, elderly people and frontline medical workers.

Othman Al Hussaini is one of 300 volunteers who helps with the distribution of iftar boxes at a workers’ accommodation in Al Mafraq, Abu Dhabi.

“This pandemic has changed the practices, customs and traditions in the UAE,” he said.

“Now everyone receives a meal and eats it in his residence, away from gatherings, for their safety.

“At this workers’ accommodation, we are distributing about 2,280 iftar meals.

“In addition, thousands of meals are distributed to other camps daily and free of charge.

“The workers feel happy, bonded and loved. We are pleased when we see a smile on their faces.”

Pearl Catering and Hospitality Services in Abu Dhabi is one of the 50 groups in the country that prepare meals for ERC’s Ramadan programme.

Staff start preparing the ingredients at 10am.

Fifteen to 20 people are assigned to cook the food, while another 35 package it for distribution.

About 2,000 meals are prepared, using more than 400 kilograms of rice and up to 500kg of chicken or mutton.

“We follow a daily menu rotation with chicken biryani, chicken or mutton gravy, chicken harees and so on,” said Simon Youssef, general manager of the company.

“There’s also laban, dates, fruit and a bottle of water.

“The meals are prepared while adhering to strict precautions.

“All our employees are vaccinated and go through PCR tests for Covid-19 once a week. We also have regular food inspections.”

At about 3.30pm, the meals are loaded on to lorries and taken to various locations, including workers’ accommodation, humanitarian agencies’ logistics centres and virus screening clinics.

Twenty ERC staff members and about 300 volunteers ensure the distribution of the dishes runs smoothly.