The UAE Food Bank’s Ramadan 2025 campaign, United in Giving, not only fed hundreds of thousands but also made a major environmental impact, preserving the equivalent of 97,000 trees by rescuing surplus food from landfills.
By redirecting more than 917 tonnes of food that would have otherwise gone to waste, the campaign prevented over 2.3 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. The environmental savings mirrored the carbon absorption power of thousands of trees, offering a powerful example of how food relief can also champion sustainability.
Led under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the campaign surpassed its initial goal of seven million meals by distributing close to eight million meals throughout Ramadan.
“This year’s results demonstrate that food relief and sustainability can go hand-in-hand,” shared Manal Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank. “Every meal saved from waste is a step toward a cleaner environment and a more compassionate society.”
The campaign reached over 700,000 families and 11,000 workers, with 378,240 meals sent to communities abroad. Locally, it partnered with the Ne’ma national initiative, stocked community fridges, and even transformed 335,000 kilograms of food scraps into more than 50,000 kilograms of organic fertilizer.
More than 200 partners and 1,000 volunteers powered the effort, while 12 new agreements were signed to broaden future collaborations. The UAE Food Bank also hosted 48 awareness sessions to promote sustainable food practices, reinforcing its dual mission of humanitarian support and environmental stewardship.