100 Million Meals, UAE’s new highs of generosity

There are no words to describe the overarching reach of the UAE’s humanitarian campaigns. They strike a chord with the people, who are simply impressed by the overwhelming generosity of the leaders.

A shining case in point is the 100 Million Meals campaign, the largest of its kind in the region to provide food to more than 30 countries in the Arab world, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. But its scope is not just limited to those who are helpless and hapless overseas; it administers to the needs of the needy inside the country. This is where the drive scores high: it has successfully distributed 10,868,400 meals in this country, in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank.

One is yet to think of any other country that thinks so much about the welfare of its inhabitants. A total of 362,280 beneficiaries in the UAE, made up of 182,916 low income families and 179,364 low income individuals, received 120,760 food parcels, each containing essential food ingredients such as rice, flour, chickpeas, lentils, sugar, cooking oil, dates, and milk, enough for each beneficiary to prepare meals for one month. To ensure an extremely smooth distribution operation, the UAE Food Bank followed a six-pronged approach: operating model, beneficiaries, product, suppliers, delivery, and governance and funding.

When it comes to providing any kind of humane help, the UAE is second to none. Witness what happened in Afghanistan recently during the airlift of thousands. The swift and unconditional response of the UAE to alleviate the aggravating humanitarian conditions in the country was welcomed widely.

For those on a visit to a third country, the Emirates Humanitarian City was a harbour of refuge and safety.

The country made arrangements for dozens of flights to transport hundreds of foreign citizens from Afghanistan to its airports.

The UAE’s generous attitude is not shaped by considerations of race, creed or caste, but purely on one foundation: all-encompassing altruism.

The 100 Million meals campaign, the largest donation drive in the region, is a model in inclusive charitable and humanitarian support.

 The distribution is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The campaign’s successful distribution of more than 10.8 million meals to different regions across the UAE is due to the critical support of the UAE Food Bank, which had previously played a key logistical role in the 10 Million meals.

With the growing international focus on dealing with hunger, and the increased awareness around the concept of food security to include people from low-income brackets and most in need, the 100 Million Meals campaign is a direct response reaching beneficiaries. It resulted in a supportive social movement, whether through donations or volunteering. The undertaking of 1,060 volunteers from the UAE community to support the distribution of food parcels has galvanised the operations.

The 100 Million Meals campaign continues its food aid distribution in several countries, ensuring Dhs216 million worth of food support reaches beneficiaries in more than 30 countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

Spearhead by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives during the Holy Month of Ramadan in 2021, the campaign seeks to feed the needy and provide food aid to the destitute and contribute to providing a food safety net in lower-income communities.

The drive comes under the Humanitarian Aid and Relief pillar, which is one of the five main pillars that form the work of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and represents a practical response to one of the biggest challenges facing the world today — hunger and malnutrition.

This humanitarian trait is intrinsic to the nature of the nation. A very noble quality that should be emulated by other nations.