The 1 Billion Meals campaign builds on the success of the 100 Million Meals campaign, which ran during Ramadan last year and exceeded all its targets to collect 220 million meals and distribute them around the world, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The 1 Billion Meals initiative, the largest food donation drive of its kind in the region, has collected 76 million meals within just six days.
Organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the initiative provides food support to the underprivileged and the undernourished in 50 countries around the world, especially vulnerable groups of children, refugees, displaced persons and victims of disasters and crises.
Within just 6 days of the initiative, 45,491 donors and 98 particiapting entities have contributed 76 million meals, which in addition to the 220 million meals collected during the 100 Million Meals campaign, brings the total number of meals collected to 296 million meals, while distribution commenced in 6 countries: India, Lebanon, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Egypt.
The 1 Billion Meals campaign builds on the success of the 100 Million Meals campaign, which ran during Ramadan last year and exceeded all its targets to collect 220 million meals and distribute them around the world. The target of 1 Billion Meals initiative is to collect an additional 780 million meals and distribute them to 50 countries around the world.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI: “The responses we’ve received to the 1 Billion Meals initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the contributions collected from donors across the UAE, including a wide range of businesses and individuals, are rooted in the people’s ethical responsibility and humanitarian commitment.”
He added: “The 1 Billion Meals initiative reaches the poor and needy around the world with food support they desperately need, and it reflects the well-established values of giving and solidarity in the UAE thanks to the directives of its wise leadership and the keenness of all segments of its society to support humanitarian work.”
Donation Channels Donors can contribute to the 1 Billion Meals initiative through the following donation channels: the campaign’s official website: www.1billionmeals.ae; bank transfer to the campaign’s account at Emirates NBD, number: AE300260001015333439802. Donors can also opt to donate AED1 a day through a monthly subscription by sending “Meal” or “وجبة” via SMS to 1020 on the du network or 1110 on the Etisalat network. Donations can also be made through campaign’s call center via a toll-free number 8009999.
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1 Billion Meals The 1 Billion Meals initiative is providing direct access to food supplies to some of the most disadvantaged communities around the world, as is doing so in coordination with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), the Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN), the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UAE Food Bank, as well as a number of local charity and humanitarian organizations in beneficiary countries.
Dh5 million from Emirates Islamic bank
Emirates Islamic bank has announced that it has contributed AED 5 million to the 1 Billion Meals initiative. The contribution of the bank helps provide basic foodstuffs to individuals and families in lower-income communities in the countries covered by 1 Billion Meals.
By donating to the campaign, the bank joins a long list of charity and humanitarian pioneers, including institutions, companies and individuals who have announced their support for the 1 Billion Meals initiative since its inception. Their contributions, starting at the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, form part of a comprehensive social movement that includes various entities, institutions and community groups acting in solidarity with the needy and the hungry, and that embody the value of giving, which is firmly rooted in Emirati society.
Commenting on the contribution, Salah Amin, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Islamic, said, “As we observe the holy month of Ramadan, we are delighted to contribute to the One Billion Meals initiative, one of the largest campaigns to fight hunger in the world. At Emirates Islamic, we have a long-term commitment to contribute to the UAE’s efforts in addressing global humanitarian challenges and advancing charitable work that reflects the true values of Emirati culture.”
