UAE Food Bank Distributes 8.2 Million Meals During Ramadan Initiative

Under the umbrella of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the UAE Food Bank has reported the successful distribution of 8.2 million meals during its Ramadan program titled “The Bank of Goodness in the Month of Goodness.”

This initiative set a goal to provide eight million meals to those in need, both locally and globally. The campaign featured five major efforts: Charity Fridge, My Home Without Waste, Meer Al Khair, Zabeel Iftar, and Recycle, Relife, focusing on sustainable food management.

Millions Impacted

This impactful campaign reached approximately 7.3 million individuals, assisting nearly 1.368 million families and over 500,000 workers, with the support of 6,645 volunteers.

In addition, the food bank collaborated with 215 donor organizations, establishing 12 new partnerships and conducting 80 programs aimed at promoting food sustainability.

Significant Environmental Contributions

This initiative diverted 4.62 million meals from landfill sites, resulting in a reduction of over 4.693 million kg of carbon emissions—analogous to planting nearly 195,583 trees.

Moreover, the Recycle, Relife program saved 1.4 million kg of surplus food, with 72,973 kg of non-consumable food transformed into organic compost for agricultural use.

Highlighting Key Initiatives

• Charity Fridge: Introduced 25 refrigerators across communities and schools, benefitting 495,677 individuals.

• Meer Al Khair: Dispensed food parcels to 6.8 million recipients.

• Zabeel Iftar: Provided meals to 5,000 workers during Ramadan.

The campaign saw significant growth by collecting surplus food from 87 hotels, a marked increase from the previous year.

Pursuing Innovation in Awareness and Sustainability

Initiatives like My Home Without Waste emphasized educating the public about reducing food waste and fostering responsible consumption practices, targeting families, homemakers, and workers for lasting awareness.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Officials emphasized that this campaign underscores the UAE’s dedication to humanitarian values, food security, and environmental sustainability. It aligns with global efforts to combat hunger and promote responsible consumption, fostering community engagement.

The UAE Food Bank remains focused on expanding its partnerships and encouraging volunteerism, aiming to create a sustainable framework for food surplus management and waste reduction.