UAE Food Bank

Established in 2017 under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the UAE Food Bank aims to contribute to the UAE's pledge to reduce food waste by 30 percent by 2027, and to provide millions of meals to families in need across the country. It partners with government departments and the private sector, including hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, to collect food surplus, and then store and package it for distribution.

Related sustainable development goals

  • Zero Hunger
  • Reduced Inequalities
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Responsible Consumption and Production

Impact

68M+ meals collected from surplus food

230+ strategic partners

60k+ surplus food distributed

Focus areas

Focus sectors

  • Environment
  • Humanitarian
    • Free goods distribution
    • Food aid
    • Food banks

Focus populations

  • Farmers
  • Immigrants and migrants
  • Low-income people
  • Working poor

Focus geographies

  • Middle East
    • Syria
    • Turkey
    • Palestine
    • United Arab Emirates

Partners

  • Amazon
  • Dubai Municipality
  • Egypt Food Bank
  • Emirates Red Crescent
  • Kuwait Food Bank
  • Majid Al Futtaim
  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI)
  • North Sudan Food Bank
  • Regional Food Banks Network
  • Saudi Food Bank

Financials

Funding model

  • In-kind gifts
    • Donated goods
  • Programme related investment
  • Volunteering

Primary funders

  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives
  • UAE government donations

Funding source

  • Corporate
  • Fundraising
  • Government

Operations

Key staff

  • Manal Bin Yaroof, head of the executive team

Board members

  • Dawoud Al Hajri, deputy chair
  • Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, chair

Contact details

More

Resources

New food endowment fund to tackle global hunger: The UAE initiative comes as aid agencies are forced to cut rations in the region’s crisis zones due to funding shortfalls. Read more

One billion meals: Ambitious UAE campaign comes amid rising global food prices and soaring rates of hunger and malnutrition. Read more

UAE campaign delivers 216 million meals to people in need: The government-led fundraising drive smashed its target, thanks to generous donations from local philanthropists and private corporations. Read more

Middle East donors join global pandemic response: Philanthropists, businesses and foundations across the Arab region are stepping up to support the fight against coronavirus. Read more