10 Million Meals campaign in UAE bags several international awards

The ‘10 Million Meals’ campaign was launched to support COVID-19-hit communities in the UAE in Ramadan. It has won six Cresta Awards in creativity and innovation and five ‘SHORTY Social Good Awards’ for creating a positive impact in society.

The campaign was also shortlisted for MEPRA Award’s Best Campaign in the Middle East in 2020 for its innovative idea, design and execution.

The drive sent out 15.3 million meals to low-income families and individuals impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. It created a large move of solidarity across the UAE, drawing overwhelming financial and in-kind donations from citizens and residents of over 115 nationalities, as well as public and private companies. More than 1,000 volunteers helped distribute the donated meals across the UAE.

Collective donations of humanitarian and charity organisations helped secure 6.8 million meals in the campaign that was overseen by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with Social Solidarity Fund Against Covid-19.

The UAE Food Bank, Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), and UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) executed the campaign in collaboration with ministries, federal and local entities and humanitarian and charitable organisations in the UAE.

Launched to support the ’10 Million Meals’ campaign, the ‘World’s Tallest Donation Box’ has received 34 international nominations and awards. Launched in collaboration with Burj Khalifa, the World’s Tallest Donation Box drew donations that secured 1.2 million meals within a week of its launch in May.

“10 Million Meals” campaign bags six Cresta Awards in creativity and innovation and five SHORTY Social Good Awards for driving positive impact in society https://t.co/SsQGRBJkHC pic.twitter.com/JfzNwUh6zp

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 5, 2020

Putting Burj Khalifa’s 1.2 million lights for sale for as little as Dh10 each, the initiative provided one meal for each light, flashing the world’s tallest tower in a powerful gesture of solidarity and hope to people impacted by COVID-19 across the world.

Humanitarian of the Year 2020

The 10 Million Meals campaign was launched by Her Highness Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. She is Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UAE Food Bank. Earlier in October, the ITP’s Arab Woman Awards UAE named Shaikha Hind as the Humanitarian of the Year 2020 for her leadership of the ‘10 Million Meals’ campaign. The award was held in partnership with UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of MBRGI, said: “Shaikha Hind’s approach to humanitarian work sets an example of using innovation to reach all segments of the society and create solidarity to achieve a sound positive impact. [Her] initiatives receive widespread admiration for their capacity to empower vulnerable communities and inspire entities to support humanitarian work in an innovative manner. Employing innovation in humanitarian work stems from Shaikh Mohammad’s vision to institutionalise philanthropy and regularly follow up its results and execution. The UAE aims to set new criteria for humanitarian work to provide efficient and swift response to crises, disasters and emergencies to preserve people’s dignities and improve lives.”

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