Dubai Duty Free announced its contribution of AED 20 million towards the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign, launched by His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan and with the aim of launching the largest Ramadan food aid endowment fund within a sustainable framework.
Organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the campaign offers new opportunities for individuals, businesses and influential philanthropists who wish to contribute, and helps promote the culture of endowment in the community.
Dubai Duty Free pledged to contribute a total of AED 20 million from its Foundation over a period of 3 years to help implement sustainable measures to fight and eradicate hunger around the world.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “Launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and coinciding with the month of Ramadan, the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign is an inspiring new initiative that aims to provide sustainable food aid to underprivileged populations on a large scale. We are honored for our Foundation to participate in the campaign’s endowment fund and to help alleviate the suffering of fellow humans.
“UAE’s humanitarian and charity initiatives continue to gather momentum every year, with this year’s campaign fully demonstrating the country’s commitment to the global fight against hunger,” he added.
“1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign builds on the success of previous food aid campaigns starting with “10 Million Meals” campaign in Ramadan 2020, which exceeded its target and provided 15.3 million meals. This was followed in Ramadan 2021 by “100 Million Meals” campaign which doubled its target and distributed 220 meals thanks to the contributions of 385,000 donators from 51 nationalities. Later, “1 Billion Meals” campaign launched in Ramadan 2022 and hit its target in under a month, providing meals in 50 countries around the world with the support of 320,868 donators.
It aims to provide a food safety net for the world’s most underprivileged populations, especially in countries struggling with food insecurity, and aligns with efforts to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, prominent among which is fighting hunger.