100 million meals campaign launched to aid people across 20 countries

The Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the launch of the region's record-breaking campaign "100 Million Meals" during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Following the '10 million meals' campaign launched last year, the '100 Million Meals' campaign 2021 aims at providing food parcels to communities in dire need across 20 countries in the MENA and Asia regions. The countries include Sudan, Ghana, Lebanon, Jordan, Pakistan, Angola, Uganda and Egypt.

Donations can be made through the campaign's website www.100millionmeals.ae or through a bank transfer to Dubai Islamic Bank account with IBAN: AE080240001520977815201 or an SMS, the state-run news agency WAM reported.

Financial donations can be made directly through the toll-free number 800 4999 or via SMS by sending in "meal" to numbers mentioned on the website.

Regardless of how little the amount is, the campaign called on the UAE citizens and residents to donate stating that every dirham spent is a meal for one. "Four hours away from us are 52 million people battling hunger. We need to take urgent action to empower underserved communities. We will work with humanitarian organisations, companies, entities and humanitarians to join us in securing 100 million meals to bring a sense of safety to underserved homes across the world," said Sheikh Mohammed.

"The launch of this campaign can create the momentum that the international community needs to tackle the pervading and devastating issue of hunger and malnutrition in the developing world. By galvanising collective solidarity around efforts to end hunger, 100 Million Meals campaign can provide tangible support to those most in need, at a time of greatest need," said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), to WAM.

Organized by MBRGI in collaboration with food banking networks including the Food Banking Regional Network, Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, along with the UN World Food Programme, the initiative expects to reduce the hunger and malnutrition experienced by some 820 million people worldwide.

UN data states 45 percent of under-five deaths are linked to malnutrition with a child dying every 10 seconds from hunger-related illnesses.