Under the directives and follow up of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Supreme Chairperson of the UAE Food Bank, the organisation has successfully distributed nearly eight million meals during Ramadan 2025. This was achieved through the ‘United in Giving’ initiative, surpassing its original goal of seven million meals and helping families and workers in need both locally and internationally.
The ‘United in Giving’ initiative supported more than 700,000 families and 11,000 workers in the UAE and beyond. Globally, the UAE Food Bank delivered over 378,240 meals, while in the UAE, it partnered with the National Initiative to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (Ne’ma) to provide more than 8,000 meals to workers through the Ne’ma Community Fridges programme. Additionally, 3,000 meals were distributed through the Zabeel Iftar campaign.
Key to the success of this initiative were over 200 partners from various sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and food establishments. Over 1,000 volunteers assisted with meal distribution, logistics, and community outreach. The UAE Food Bank also organised 48 awareness programmes across the emirate to promote best practices in food waste reduction and surplus food redistribution.
Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, said, “The outcomes of the ‘United in Giving’ initiative during Ramadan underscore the UAE Food Bank’s ongoing commitment to a humanitarian vision inspired by the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. Surpassing the campaign’s targets reflects the deep-rooted values of generosity, social responsibility, and sustainability in Emirati society. The initiative also aligns with the Bank’s strategic goal of delivering high-quality food assistance, enhancing lives, and promoting environmental stewardship through a sustainable humanitarian framework.”
In line with its environmental efforts, the UAE Food Bank successfully diverted over 917 tonnes of food waste from landfills, preventing more than 2.3 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, equivalent to preserving over 97,000 trees. In collaboration with Ne’ma, over 335,000 kilograms of food waste were recycled into 50,366 kilograms of organic fertiliser, showcasing the Bank’s commitment to sustainable food waste management.
To expand its impact and continue its work, the UAE Food Bank signed 12 new agreements with government entities, private-sector partners, and humanitarian organisations. The ‘United in Giving’ initiative is part of the UAE Food Bank’s broader mission to promote sustainable food aid and reduce food waste across the UAE and beyond. Key campaigns like Blessings Baskets, Surplus of Good, and the Ne’ma Community Fridges are central to the Bank’s ongoing efforts to improve lives and raise awareness about responsible resource conservation during Ramadan and throughout the year.