DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has officially announced the successful completion of the groundbreaking ‘1 Billion Meals’ humanitarian initiative. Launched in Ramadan 2022, the project aimed to deliver one billion meals globally and has now achieved this goal across 65 countries.

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His Highness confirmed that an additional 260 million meals will be distributed next year. “Three years ago, we launched a project to deliver 1 billion meals to those in need. Today, we’ve fulfilled that promise,” he said. In a move to ensure long-term impact, sustainable real estate endowments have also been established under the 1 Billion Meals Endowment initiative.

This initiative is the largest of its kind in the region and follows the successful 10 Million Meals and 100 Million Meals campaigns conducted in 2020 and 2021. It reflects the UAE’s inclusive and far-reaching humanitarian approach, supporting individuals and families in vulnerable communities without discrimination.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), which oversees the campaign, reported that AED 2.2 billion had been invested in 2024, impacting 149 million people across 118 countries. The organisation focuses on five core pillars, including humanitarian aid and sustainable community development.

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Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of MBRGI, highlighted the vital role of international and local partners in achieving this goal. These include the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UNHCR, FAO, UNITLIFE, and regional food banks, all of whom contributed through food parcels, smart vouchers, and sustainable agricultural projects.

The 1 Billion Meals initiative combines direct food aid with long-term empowerment strategies, such as supporting farmers and creating jobs in food production. The UAE’s model, guided by Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, sets an example of sustainable philanthropy, focusing on solutions to hunger and poverty through collaboration and innovation.