Post by : Badri Ariffin

Under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the UAE Food Bank launched a successful campaign titled “The Bank of Goodness in the Month of Goodness,” providing a remarkable 8.2 million meals during Ramadan.

The primary aim was to deliver eight million meals to those in need, not only in the UAE but also beyond its borders. This effort comprised five strategic initiatives: Charity Fridge, My Home Without Waste, Meer Al Khair, Zabeel Iftar, and Recycle, Relife, all dedicated to efficiently managing surplus food.

Impact on Millions

The outreach reached approximately 7.3 million beneficiaries, including nearly 1.368 million families and over 500,000 workers, supported by 6,645 dedicated volunteers.

The food bank collaborated with 215 donor organizations and companies, forming 12 new partnerships and hosting 80 awareness programs to foster food sustainability.

Significant Environmental Contributions

Through its efforts, the initiative successfully diverted 4.62 million surplus meals from disposal, diminishing carbon emissions by over 4.693 million kg—akin to planting nearly 195,583 trees.

Furthermore, the Recycle, Relife program led to the preservation of 1.4 million kg of surplus food, while 72,973 kg of non-edible food was converted into organic compost for agricultural use.

Key Initiative Highlights

• Charity Fridge: The establishment of 25 refrigerators across communities and schools benefitting 495,677 individuals

• Meer Al Khair: Distribution of food parcels to 6.8 million beneficiaries

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

The initiative also saw a notable increase in surplus food collection from 87 hotels compared to the previous year.

Raising Awareness and Sustainability

Programs like My Home Without Waste focused on educating communities about minimizing food waste and encouraging responsible consumption, specifically targeting families, homemakers, and workers to foster long-term awareness.

A Vision for Future Endeavors

Officials highlighted that the campaign exemplifies the UAE’s dedication to humanitarian efforts, food security, and environmental sustainability, aligning with global initiatives to combat hunger and bolster community involvement.

The UAE Food Bank is committed to continuing its growth in partnerships and encouraging volunteer efforts to establish a sustainable system for surplus food management and waste reduction.

#world news #Global News #UAE News