The one billion meals campaign was started on March 10 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to commemorate the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan. During the Holy Month, Sheikh Mohammed would personally donate the remainder of 400 million meals to help individuals in need in 50 nations, in addition to the 600 million meals already provided.

The goal was to offer one billion meals to the poor and vulnerable people in 50 nations. Given that the sum is substantially more than the previous two projects, Sheikh Mohammed announced that the campaign will extend further than the Holy Month. Sheikh Mohammed has now declared that the objective has been accomplished less than a month after it was established.

In a tweet, he stated, ‘Today we conclude the 1 Billion Meals initiative by collecting 600 million meals in less than one month. Thanks to institutions, companies, businessmen and 320,000 individuals who contributed. Today, we announce personal support of 400 million meals for the initiative to complete the 1 billion meals during this holy month of Ramadan.’

His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives stated that the success of the ‘initiative’s goal less than one month after its launch strengthens the UAE’s position as a global capital for charity and humanitarian work, from which a helping hand extends to those in need around the world, regardless of race, colour, gender, or religious belief.’

He added that the campaign would not have achieved the results without the ‘support and directives of the wise leadership, or the efforts of the campaign’s partners, or the contributions of charitable people who united to achieve the noble goals of the initiative’.