Ramadan: 1.3 million meals delivered in first week of food campaign


Anam Rizvi
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More than 1.3 million meals were distributed to low-income workers in Dubai in one week, under the emirate's 10 Million Meals initiative.

An average of 300,000 meals are delivered each day by volunteers who are taking part in the UAE's biggest food distribution drive to date.

The initiative aims to help people who would have relied on mosques for food during Ramadan. It was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, last month.

Mosques have remained closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The campaign is led by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, wife of Sheikh Mohammed, and is overseen by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

Sara Al Nuaimi, director at Global Initiatives, said: "The meals are delivered to labour accommodation, as well as individuals and families affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, to whom they are sent door-to-door."

Last week, it was revealed that contributions from companies and the public had already paid for 11 million meals, more than the original target.

That included individual cash donations via SMS and a flurry of cash pledges from public and private sector companies.

Every meal weighs about 600 grams and includes a serving of rice, chicken, three dates, a piece of fruit, a 500ml bottle of water, and a carton of Laban Up.

The National visited one of the restaurants in Dubai where the food was being prepared for delivery on Friday.

A team of 30 people prepare 1,000 meals each day at Al Nadeg Restaurant in Dubai.

For safety reasons, the number of people working at each restaurant is kept at a minimum.

Food is being prepared every day at several restaurants across the emirates. The meals are then packaged up and sent out to those in need.

"During the first week of the campaign, we were able to deliver a total of 1.3 million meals and 10,000 food packages," said Ms Al Nuaimi.

"There are five volunteers from Beit Al Khair Society to oversee preparations and distribution. But there are many more volunteers supporting the campaign whether in the kitchens, packaging, and distribution."

The meals and food packages are distributed at labour accommodation and handed out to low-income individuals and families.

Companies, institutions and the public can contribute money to help the cause. Donations start from Dh8.

How to donate:

Donors can visit 10millionmeals.ae to buy a number of meals to be distributed.

The money for the cause can be transferred online or through a text message.

For in-kind donations of food supplies, parcels or other services, people can contact toll free 800 4006.

How to donate to the 10 Million Meals campaign.
How to donate to the 10 Million Meals campaign.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

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Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.

Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.

The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.

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Director: Ron Howard

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Brief scoreline:

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Barnes 63', 70', Berg Gudmundsson 75'

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Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

 

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Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

 

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

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COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

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McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

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Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

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