HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, had launched the ‘100 Million Meals’ Initiative for Ramadan this year. And guess what? The UAE has officially reached its target of raising AED 100 million for the 100 Million Meals in 10-days. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
UAE Collects 100 Million AED In Just 10 Days After The Campaign Launch
Donations are pouring in from around the world for this initiative. And on the same, the authorities have said the money will be used to distribute 100 million meals in 30 countries. A website was set up for the campaign, and it allowed the public to donate as little as AED 1 for one meal. The total was reached thanks to the generosity of 185,000 donors, which individuals and companies globally.
Whereas online and SMS donations tallied AED 11 million, and direct bank transfers amounted to AED 40 million. HH Sheikh Mohammed had unveiled the campaign on April 11. While unveiling the campaign, he said,
“We will work with humanitarian associations, companies, businessmen and philanthropists in the UAE to send 100 million messages of goodness and love to the needy and the poor in the month of goodness. Distributing food is the best thing to do to bring us close to the month of fasting.”
Refugees, Orphans And Those In Need Have Already Started Receiving The Ingredients For The Meals
In terms of the meals, families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have already started receiving ingredients that will help them prepare meals throughout the holy month. And in association with the UN’s World Food Programme, 20 per cent of all food parcels will be sent to refugee camps in Palestine, Jordan and Bangladesh.
And if you think that’s it, then you must know that more funds are expected to be raised on a charity auction taking place on April 24 at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira. Rare artworks by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Nelson Mandela and Salvador Dali will be sold, along with a piece of a Kaaba cover, embellished in gold and silver, donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Actor Will Smith will also reveal a collaborative painting with artist Sacha Jafri.
The auctions are organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.