UAE announced the launch of the "One Billion Meals" campaign to secure food aid for vulnerable communities in 50 countries.
The One Billion Meals campaign aims to provide sustainable food aid to underserved populations in the UAE's contributions to global efforts.
The campaign was exceeded by the "100 Million Meals" launched last year during Ramadan month and raised more than double its target earlier this year to secure food parcels, equivalent to 220 million meals, to the disadvantaged in 47 countries across four continents.
The "One Billion Meals" initiative, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), contributes to the fight against hunger and malnutrition globally, especially among vulnerable groups women, children, refugees, displaced persons, and victims of disasters and crises.
UAE Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the launch of the "One Billion Meals" campaign via Twitter, saying: "We announce the One Billion Meals campaign. It starts at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and will continue until the goal is achieved."
"Our humanity and religion encourage us to help others," reiterated the PM.
He asserted that the best of all charities is to feed a hungry person and the best of all nations is the one that keeps thinking of others, adding that the UAE aims to distribute One Billion Meals to send one billion messages of humanity to the world.
"The world is going through challenges in providing food security for everyone. Our mission is to support our brothers in humanity to save them from hunger."
The campaign provided food support as food parcels and instant smart vouchers to millions of beneficiaries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
Food parcels are currently being distributed to beneficiaries in collaboration with the UN World Food Program, the Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN), the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), and humanitarian organizations in targeted countries. Distribution is set to continue throughout this year until all donated meals are delivered to those in need.
Hunger claims a child's life every ten seconds in a world where 25,000 people die of starvation daily, including 10,000 children. Over 800 million people are undernourished globally, 52 million of whom live in the Middle East and North Africa.