Ramadan 2023: UAE rallies together to raise Dhs404m for ‘1 Billion Meals’ Campaign

More than 70,000 donators, including individuals, institutions and businesses from both the public and private sectors, have raised Dhs404m in the first 10 days of the launch of the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Read: Sheikh Mohammed launches 1 billion meals endowment campaign

Prominent UAE companies have announced contributions worth millions of dirhams towards the 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign.

1 Billion Meals brings together the corporates and companies

Al Ansari Exchange, Azizi Developments, Sankari Group and Sobha Realty pledged Dhs50m, over a span of five years, towards the campaign, which aims to launch the largest Ramadan food aid endowment fund and will operate within a sustainable framework to provide a food safety net for the world’s most underprivileged populations.

Dubai’s Al Ansari Exchange rang Nasdaq’s market opening bell on March 25, marking its support for the campaign. This was followed by Sobha Realty, who rang the bell on March 29, signalling their support for the campaign. Azizi Developments rang the bell on March 30.

Mohamed Ali Al Ansari, chairman of Al Ansari Exchange, said, “The UAE leadership’s steadfast support of underprivileged populations through the launch of humanitarian initiatives is a reflection of the country’s long-held values of giving and generosity. Our contribution to Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives, and this year’s Ramadan campaign in particular, is a testament to our commitment to support every effort made by the UAE to support vulnerable groups everywhere.”

Dubai Duty Free announced a contribution of Dhs20m towards the campaign. The company announced on March 23 when it rang the Nasdaq Dubai’s market opening in support of the campaign.

DP World Foundation, the charity and humanitarian arm of global logistics company DP World, contributed Dhs10m to the initiative, as did Burjeel Holdings.

Both companies will make the contribution over a period of five years to help support the campaign’s objectives of fighting hunger and providing a food safety net to tens of millions of people.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “As is his custom, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched yet another exceptional humanitarian initiative that positively impacts human lives. His outstanding efforts put the UAE at the forefront of global humanitarian efforts.

Lulu Group International pledged to contribute the same amount to the fund over a period of five years. “The contribution to the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign is a reflection of my commitment to support all charity efforts that strengthen the UAE’s reputation as a global hub for humanitarian efforts,” said Lulu’s chairman Yusuff Ali MA.

The West Zone Group also pledged Dhs10m to the cause. “We are honoured to support the campaign and to join the list of contributors to the largest Ramadan food aid endowment fund, which reflects our commitment to support UAE’s humanitarian efforts to help the underprivileged and fight hunger,” said Naresh Bhawnani, founder and chairman of the West Zone Group.

Donations for the 1 Billion Meals campaign of Dhs5m each came from Alfardan Group, GINCO, Danube, JETEX, Landmark Group and Tristar. “Our contribution to this campaign is a reflection of our commitment to charity work which garners widespread in the UAE as a true testament to community awareness of the importance of giving and supporting underprivileged communities,” said Eugene Mayne, CEO of Tristar Group.

Telco providers du and Etisalat by e& have also announced charity auctions of special numbers to support the 1 Billion Meals campaign.

Both providers will auction of exclusive sets of numbers at the Most Noble Number charity auction, which will begin on Saturday, April 8, at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

‘Diamond’ and special mobile numbers will be auctioned off during the charity auction, in cooperation with Emirates Auction, in the presence of a host of businessmen and philanthropists. Dubai’s RTA will also be participating in this auction with several special vehicle plate numbers, including single digit plate number P7.

The auction has been organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with Emirates Auction.

The “Most Noble Numbers” charity auction for special vehicle plate numbers will open for bidding in Dubai on Saturday, 8th April, in support of the #1BillionMeals endowment to establish the largest food aid endowment fund.@dutweets@rta_dubaihttps://t.co/gIIGAJlv1g pic.twitter.com/GOvLWDByjv

— مبادرات محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم العالمية (@MBRInitiatives) April 3, 2023

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said: “RTA is honoured to support this campaign, which has seen a remarkable response from the community and its institutions since day one. The Most Noble Number charity auction allows direct support of the campaign which aims to provide a food safety net for underprivileged communities”.

Abu Dhabi Police launched the second edition of its Most Noble Number charity digital auction today. Running till April 10, it has been organised in conjunction with Zayed Humanitarian Day. The aunction invites philanthropists and donors to bid on special vehicle plate numbers and artwork, with proceeds going to the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ initiative.

Read:Ramadan 2023: 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign raises Dhs247m in first week

Here’s how you can donate

You can donate through the campaign’s five main channels:

• Website: www.1billionmeals.ae
• Dedicated call centre via the toll-free number 800 9999
• Bank transfers: Transfer your donation in the UAE dirham to the campaign’s Emirates NBD bank account number AE30 0260 0010 1533 3439 802
• Via SMS: Donate Dhs1 daily through a monthly subscription by sending the word “Meal” to 1020 for du users or 1110 for Etisalat by e& users.
• DubaiNow app: Click on the Donations tab to make your contribution

Meanwhile, multi-service platform Careem has enabled its users to donate towards the campaign every time their book a ride through the app. In addition, Careem app users can also make donations when ordering food through a special feature within the app.

Similarly, Deliveroo and talabat users can also contribute to the campaign via the apps with donations values starting from Dhs10 to Dhs500.