The United Arab Emirates (UAE) initiated the 1 Billion Meals initiative, aiming to provide food support to undernourished people in 50 countries around the world.
The initiative launched at the start of Ramadan will especially target countries going through a food crisis and has started distributing the food parcels in Lebanon, India, Jordan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the distribution comes in partnership with the Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN), and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH).
As per the Emirates News Agency (WAM), FBRN started with the distribution of long-term food items with storable ingredients, whereas the MBRCH is distributing foodstuffs containing the basics such as flour, rice, oil, sugar, and dates.
The 1 Billion Meals initiative also provides the beneficiaries with basic food items needed for the preparation of nutritious meals and even electronic vouchers for food supplies, to target the most-in-need communities.
The process is in accordance with the arrival of new contributions to the 1 Billion Meals initiative from individuals, businessmen, charities, and so on. Donations are currently taking place to further the distribution of food parcels.
According to the campaign’s official website, “the “One Billion Meals” campaign is committed to the UAE’s culture of giving and the visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in supporting human solidarity.”
To date, the initiative has donated 296,000,000 meals to unprivileged communities.
Anyone can contribute to the 1 Billion Meals campaign through the following 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 the campaign’s call center via the toll-free number 8009999.
The humanitarian goals behind the launch of the 1 Billion Meals initiative are part of MBRGI’s message to aid people and communities from any gender, race, belief, or region.
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