The UAE has marked a major milestone in its global humanitarian efforts as the 1 Billion Meals initiative—launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Ramadan 2022—has officially reached its ambitious goal of distributing one billion meals across 65 countries.
In a statement, Sheikh Mohammed announced the success of the initiative, which began three years ago. “The project has fully achieved its goal this month, distributing one billion meals across 65 countries. An additional 260 million meals will be distributed over the course of next year,” he shared.
Beyond the immediate aid, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the program’s future impact, revealing that sustainable real estate endowments have been established to ensure continuous food assistance in the coming years. “We thank God for the ability to give… and for the blessing of this good nation, whose kindness has touched the world,” he said.
The 1 Billion Meals initiative followed the momentum of earlier efforts—starting from 10 million meals in 2020, growing to 100 million in 2021—and has now become the largest food distribution drive of its kind in the region. It reflects the UAE’s inclusive approach to aid, offering help across communities regardless of race, religion, or background.
To sustain its impact, the 1 Billion Meals Endowment initiative was launched in 2023 as the region’s largest food aid endowment fund, aligning with the UAE’s long-term humanitarian strategy.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), credited the campaign’s success to nationwide participation. He said MBRGI “mobilises resources and efforts to improve food security in underserved communities,” and acknowledged the contributions from individuals, organisations, and international partners.
“We remain committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships… to support those most in need and create sustainable solutions,” Al Gergawi added, highlighting collaboration with global entities such as the UN World Food Programme, UNHCR, FAO, and others.
Beyond food relief, the initiative also supported job creation, sustainable agriculture, and programs empowering women in food production.
In 2024 alone, MBRGI’s broader efforts reached 149 million people across 118 countries, investing more than AED 2.2 billion in projects spanning education, health, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.
MBRGI was established in 2015 to unify over 30 charitable and development foundations under one banner, reflecting Sheikh Mohammed’s decades-long commitment to uplifting the vulnerable and investing in human potential across the globe.