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1 Billion Meals Initiative starts expansion in five countries

The 1 Billion Meals Initiative, aimed at providing food aid to the underprivileged and malnourished in 50 countries around the world, has announced the start of food parcel distribution in Lebanon, India, Jordan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The initiative, launched at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and organised by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has started distribution in four countries in collaboration with Food Banking Regional Network (FBRN), Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charitable Institution (MBRCH).

FBRN has started distributing shelf-stable food and food parcels with storable products to beneficiaries of the 1 Billion Meals Initiative. While MBRCH distributes food parcels with staple foods such as flour, rice, oil, sugar and dates to beneficiaries.

Under the 1 Billion Meals Initiative, in collaboration with the relevant local authorities in the beneficiary countries, beneficiaries receive the essentials needed to prepare nutritious meals or instant electronic food vouchers. This coordination ensures the efficiency of distribution operations and, taking advantage of the use of technology, also provides direct access to the communities most in need through comprehensive and accurate databases.

The distribution of food parcels coincides with contributions and donations to the “1 Billion Meals” initiative from individuals, institutions, companies, businessmen and pioneers in charitable and humanitarian work. These donations embody the values of the UAE and its generous society, which seeks to express solidarity with those in need without discrimination based on race, religion or geographical region.

Donors can contribute to the 1 Billion Meals campaign through the following donation channels – official campaign website: www.1billionmeals.ae; bank transfer to the campaign account at Emirates NBD, number: AE300260001015333439802. Donors can also donate AED 1 per day via monthly subscription by sending “Meal” or “وجبة” via SMS to 1020 on du or 1110 on Etisalat. Donations can also be made through the campaign’s call centre toll-free number 8009999. The launch of the “1 Billion Meals” initiative and the beginning of its distribution are part of MBRGI’s message, whose humanitarian goals are based on providing assistance without any exclusions based on gender, race, creed or region. The initiative falls under the Humanitarian Aid and Support strand, one of MBRGI’s five core areas of work.

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