Over a million to get Iftar meals from families

Over a million to get Iftar meals from families Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 19 June 2013 Over a million people are expected to benefit from the Iftar meals prepared by families across the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan. Now in its fourth year, the initiative by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF) aims to provide for the needy while fostering entrepreneurship among the Emirati population. Mohamed Hajji Al Khoori with representatives of the institutions sponsoring the Ramadan project at a Press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — KT photo by Nezar Balout According to Mohamed Hajji Al Khoori, director-general of the KBZF, the foundation signed a contract this year with 587 families to prepare 100 meals per day, which comprises chicken biryani and dates for the fasting Muslims and needy people living in labour housing clusters and industrial areas across the country. These include the industrial cities of Mussafah in Abu Dhabi, and Al Quoz and Al Ghurair in Dubai. About 1.76 million Iftar packages are expected to be distributed all throughout Ramadan. “This is the seventh year of our Ramadan project, but for the local ladies, we have the agreement with them for four years now,” said Al Khoori. The initiative started in 2010 in the Western Region with only 40 Emirati women. But this increased to 400 in the second year from across the country, and about 600 in 2012. This year, 256 are from the Abu Dhabi emirate — 121 in Abu Dhabi City, 84 in Al Ain and 51 in the Western Region — 82 from Dubai and 249 from the Northern Emirates. “We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to help low-income families by sourcing out creative and sustainable projects that provide them with the necessary long-term financial support,” Al Khoori explained. As part of the agreement, each family is given Dh63,000 as the start-up capital which would be used to buy the ingredients for the Iftar meals, including rice and chicken. The rice is provided by the foundation at a minimum cost. “This is a very good way to create a job for them, to start business from their homes without expense. It is also good to teach their kids and for the whole family to start learning the business,” Al Khoori told Khaleej Times. The whole family usually contributes by helping with the packing of meals. “We request for 100 meals per day but we found out they prepare more than 100. In Ramadan, everybody is trying to help the people in need,” he pointed out. In order to make the programme successful and sustainable, the women have undergone basic training on food hygiene and safety according to catering standards. They have also received eligibility certificates by the Civil Defence to cater from their homes and regular spot checks are carried out in Ramadan during meal preparation. Established in 2007, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation is committed to providing aid and assistance to people everywhere — locally and internationally — regardless of race, sex or religion. Last year, the foundation provided financial support in distributing Iftar meals in 58 countries worldwide including the US, France, Switzerland, Australia and countries in Asia and Africa in coordination with the UAE embassies in those countries. This year, 60 countries are expected to benefit from this generous initiative by the UAE leadership. olivia@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International