Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, announced the successful completion of the ‘1 Billion Meals’ project, a humanitarian initiative launched in Ramadan 2022 to provide one billion meals to those in need worldwide. The project has reached its goal this month, distributing meals in 65 countries, with an additional 260 million meals planned for distribution next year.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative builds upon the success of previous food aid campaigns, namely ’10 Million Meals’ and ‘100 Million Meals’, launched in 2020 and 2021. The 1 Billion Meals initiative is the largest of its kind in the region, aiming to support underprivileged individuals, families, women, and children, reflecting the UAE’s approach to humanitarianism by offering aid to all communities without discrimination.
To ensure its long-term impact, the 1 Billion Meals Endowment initiative was launched in 2023 as a sustainable food aid endowment fund. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), highlighted the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in mobilising resources and efforts to improve food security in underserved communities.
Al Gergawi attributed the success of the initiative to community engagement and contributions from individuals and organisations across the UAE. He also emphasised the role of partners, including UN agencies and regional and local organisations, in implementing the initiative, and noted plans to reach a total of 1.26 billion meals by the end of 2026.
The initiative partnered with UN organisations through direct food aid and sustainable projects to empower individuals and families. It recorded achievements with partners such as the UN World Food Programme, UNHCR, UNITLIFE, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Additionally, local partners like the Food Banking Regional Network and the Emirates Food Bank played crucial roles.
MBRGI, the region’s largest humanitarian and aid organisation, has impacted 149 million people across 118 countries in 2024 through investments of over AED2.2 billion. Its efforts focus on humanitarian aid, healthcare, education, innovation, and community empowerment.
Launched in 2015, MBRGI consolidated over 30 humanitarian initiatives supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The organisation aims to address global challenges, particularly in underserved regions, by investing in human capital and promoting tolerance and coexistence.