Sheikha Hind Al Maktoum reviews UAE Food Bank strategy

Dubai / WAM

HH Sheikha Hind bint Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the UAE Food Bank, reviewed the initial strategic plan for the initiative, including the bank’s short-term goals and long-term vision of evolving into a fully integrated ecosystem to engage public and private sectors at local and regional levels.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Deputy Chairman of the UAE Food Bank, also met the UAE Food Bank’s execution team, approving critical steps for
implementation of its goals.
During the first five days post launch, the UAE Food Bank signed agreements with 85 entities in the hospitality sector, hundreds of restaurants and over 100 supermarkets.
“The progress the UAE Food Bank has made in only a few days since its inception is remarkable. Due to the sincere generosity and diligent commitment of many institutions, volunteers and philanthropists, we are confident that the UAE Food Bank will be the largest humanitarian initiative in the country and the biggest food-aid initiative yet seen in the Muslim World,” Sheikha Hind Al Maktoum said.
“The UAE Food Bank will do more than distribute food to those in need,” Sheikha Hind added. “It will instil the humanitarian values of philanthropy and volunteerism in the hearts of people, reinforcing the UAE’s culture of giving and strengthening the country’s global position as one of the most humanitarian countries in the world.”
“The UAE Food Bank has received tremendous support in the past few days from a large number of partners, including hotels and supermarkets, which are keen to take part in the initiative and contribute to the city’s humanitarian spirit,” Lootah said.
Among the participants are Majid Al Futtaim Group, Carrefour, Choithrams, Dubai Trade Centre and Jumeirah Hospitality.
In the meeting headed by Lootah, next steps were discussed, including building a facility that would be located in Dubai Vegetable Market for optimal storage of excess food. Lootah also reviewed the committee, established in partnership with MBRGI and Dubai Municipality, to supervise the UAE Food Bank from operational and legal perspectives.
He also assured that the food bank would implement the highest standards of performance and ensure the utmost quality of food, setting an example of excellence and steady growth for years to come.
The UAE Food Bank’s first campaign will distribute 30,000 meal packages to those in need. It will also grow in the next few years and will have 15 branches inside and outside the country, focussed on providing emergency food aid and relief.