Combating coronavirus: '10 Million Meals' campaign crosses target, 11m meals donated in just a week

With donations reaching over 11 million meals, the UAE's '10 Million Meals' campaign has crossed its target just a week after its launch.

Financial and in-kind donations poured in through various official channels -- from its website to SMS, bank transfers and call centre.

Massive contributions came from companies, humanitarian organisations, businessmen, government and private entities and the general public, who were all ready to help communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the UAE.

The campaign, the UAE's biggest food distribution drive, will continue receiving donations and securing meals throughout the holy month of Ramadan under the supervision of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in collaboration with the Social Solidarity Fund against Covid-19. It is being led by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UAE Food Bank.

"The wide engagement that the 10 Million Meals campaign has received reflects the integral role of the UAE's humanitarian initiatives in bringing together all segments of the society in solidarity against any circumstances," said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Secretary-General of MBRGI.

During the first week of the campaign, 39,000 people donated amounts worth 412,000 meals through SMS and 7,000 donors paid for 859,000 meals on the website.

In-kind donations received through the campaign's call centre totaled 163,000 meals.

Public and private entities and humanitarian organisations collectively donated 9.6 million meals.

Within the first two days alone, more than 15,000 donors had collectively provided 450,000 meals and food parcels through the campaign's website and SMS, besides thousands more financial donations that poured into the campaign's bank account and in-kind donations received through the call centre.

"The '10 million meals' campaign aims to reinforce social solidarity and cohesion in the UAE to enable us to emerge from the global crisis stronger. The public, private and humanitarian sectors are united today to empower our people to overcome the global crisis without leaving anyone behind," His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said when he announced the launch of the campaign last week.

"Crises reveal the true values of people, entities and societies. The ongoing crisis has revealed our country's authenticity and deeply-rooted spirit of giving," he said.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Ramadan 2021