In pics: UAE’s one billion meals initiative begins distribution in five countries

The one billion meals initiative has announced that it has started distributing foodstuffs and food parcels in Lebanon, India, Jordan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had announced the launch of the ‘One Billion Meals’ campaign in March.

Read: UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed announces one billion meals campaign

The initiative, which was launched at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has started distribution in the four countries in cooperation with the Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN), and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH).

FBRN has started distributing long-term food items and food parcels with storable ingredients to the campaign’s beneficiaries, while MBRCH is distributing food parcels containing basic staples such as flour, rice, oil, sugar and dates. The initiative provides people with basic necessities required for the preparation of nutritious meals or instant electronic vouchers for food supplies in cooperation with relevant local authorities in beneficiary countries, official news agency WAM reported.

The distribution of food parcels coincides with the arrival of contributions and donations to the initiative from individuals, institutions, companies, businessmen and pioneers of charity and humanitarian work.

The launch of the one billion meals initiative and the start of its distribution operations are part of the message of MBRGI, whose humanitarian goals are based on giving without any exception on the basis of gender, race, belief or region.