Dubai: Money transfer agent UAE Exchange has donated Dh100,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to help fund 100,000 school meals for poor students in Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda.
The development marks the start of a wider partnership with WFP and comes just days ahead of Ramadan. The donation was announced during a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday.
Residents who wish to support the campaign can find more information on www.facebook.com/uaeexchange and www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgramme.
Y. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, COO – Global Operations, UAE Exchange, said: “This is not a one-off programme, this is something where our commitment is total. We’ll continue to lend support in the years to come.”
He added: “This contribution is an endorsement of the great efforts deployed by WFP to fight hunger in Africa and a humble step from our side towards a cause as pertinent as hunger and food security, as we are preparing to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.
“As a brand which mainly serves the ‘bottom-of-the-pyramid’ segment, we understand the importance of scarcity in life, especially that of food. We are more than glad to associate with the WFP for the cause.”
Shetty also revealed the company’s plans to donate Rs5,000,000 (about Dh304,600) to the Indian Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the flood affected parts of Uttarakhand state where hundreds of people died recently and thousands are still missing.
Ashraf Hamouda, Regional Head of Private Partnerships and Business Development, WFP, said: “It’s not just about school meals. A hungry stomach can’t think. The school feeding programme will increase enrolment. It will include take-home rations so they’re motivated to go to school.”
Hamouda added: “This donation will make a tangible impact in the lives of children who barely have enough food in their stomach to even walk to school and moreover focus in class. We are thankful to UAE Exchange and look forward to growing our partnership with time, so that more children can go to school and grow strong and healthy.”
UAE Exchange has over 700 branches in 30 countries, serving over 6,000,000 customers.
WFP says it is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation fighting hunger worldwide. Last year, it reached more than 97 million people in 80 countries with food assistance.
