1 Billion Meals: UAE entities etisalat, du and RTA to auction special numbers

Dubai: UAE telecom companies have announced special mobile numbers for the ‘Most Noble Number charity’ auction that will be held to support the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign.

Bidding for the auction, organised in collaboration with Emirates Auction, will begin on Saturday, April 8, at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

It aims to support the 1 Billion Meals campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund.

'Most expensive numbers'

etisalat by e& announced it will dedicate ‘Diamond’ numbers and several special mobile numbers to be auctioned off during the Most Noble Number charity auction.

etisalat by e& dedicated the following Diamond+ numbers: 971548888888, 971565555500, 971568888887, 971565588888, 971565599999, 971547888888, 971542022222, 971564666664, 971545544444, 971566000006, 971562822222. The company said these are among the most expensive numbers in the world, to be auctioned during the Most Noble Number charity auction alongside a set of other special numbers.

du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), announced it will dedicate an exclusive set of special numbers to be auctioned.

The Most Noble Number charity auction will be displaying the following special “du” mobile numbers: 971583333330, 971583333331, 971583333332, 971583333333, 971583333334, 971583333335, 971583333336, 971583333337, 971583333338, 971583333339.

Innovative donations

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of etisalat by e&, said: “etisalat by e& collaborates with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to hold the Most Noble Number charity auction for the third year running, as we’re keen to facilitate contributions to the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign through digital and innovative channels that help achieve the campaign’s target.”

He added: “We are honoured to support this year’s inspiring campaign, which embodies Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for sustainable charity, and reflects the UAE’s global message of aid and solidarity with those in need around the world.”

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, said: “The Most Noble Number charity auction is an innovative option allowing philanthropists to be part of UAE’s major humanitarian efforts, including the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign which represents a major shift in the way charity efforts are conducted by adopting a model based on group contributions and long-term planning.

He added: “du is keen to dedicate all of its platforms and tools to help expand the scope of charity and achieve the campaign’s objectives of fighting hunger within a sustainable framework.”

Sustainable solutions

Proceeds of the Most Noble Numbers charity auction will contribute to providing a food safety net for underprivileged populations as part of the aims of the 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign, the latest of a series of initiatives organised by Organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to create sustainable solutions to fight hunger, eradicate its causes and limit its repercussions through clear programs and targeted processes to effectively support vulnerable groups.

Charity auctions provide an innovative way for major contributors and influential philanthropists to help provide aid and support to underprivileged populations.

Car number plates

In collaboration with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Emirates Auction will provide all technical and logistical support requirements to ensure the success of the Most Noble Number charity auction.

Also, in collaboration with Emirates Auction and with support from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the auction will include several special vehicle plate numbers, including single digit plate number P7 and 10 two-digit numbers AA19, AA22, AA80, O71, X36, W78, H31, Z37, J57 and N41, as well as other special plate numbers Y900, Q22222 and Y6666.

The auction is expected to see the participation of prominent figures from various businesses and charities, keen to support initiatives embracing humanitarian causes, such as 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign, especially during Ramadan, the month of giving and solidarity.

Auctions prove to be a modern, innovative source of support for charity and humanitarian efforts, with the first edition of Most Noble Numbers auction, running alongside the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign in Ramadan in 2021, brought in around Dh50.45 million in one night only, helping the campaign double its target and eventually record 220 million meals.

The Most Noble Numbers charity auction for special mobile numbers in Dubai collected AED53 million for Ramadan in 2022, during that year’s ‘1 Billion Meals’ campaign, while the Abu Dhabi Police Most Noble Number in-person and online auctions supported the campaign with Dh111 million.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said: “The ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, is the embodiment of the values of humanity and solidarity with those in need around the world, and is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to providing sustainable aid as it invites both public and private sector players to take part and promote the role of social responsibility – a formula that ensures the success of all such initiatives launched in the UAE.”

He added: “RTA is honoured to support this campaign, which has seen a remarkable response from the community and its institutions since day one. The Most Noble Number charity auction allows direct support of the campaign which aims to provide a food safety net for underprivileged communities. We are confident this auction will see a great response as was the case in the past two years during the ‘1 Billion Meals’ and ‘100 Million Meals’ campaigns,” he added.

Abdulla Matar Al Mannaei, Chairman and Managing Director, Emirates Auction, said: “The ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign is an extension of the UAE’s values of good and generosity extending to all business sectors, and we are keen to provide technical and logistic support to ensure the auction runs according to the highest international standards, and that contribution to the campaign is maximized to help achieve its target.”

He added: “We were privileged to participate in ‘100 Million Meals’ and ‘1 Billion Meals’ campaigns, we once again to contribute to the campaign’s food aid endowment fund alongside other philanthropists. The UAE’s message to humanity is ever reflected in the aid it extends to those in need,” he added.

This year’s 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign is the latest addition to the Foundation’s humanitarian programmes and initiatives, and aims to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, prominent among which is the fight against hunger.

The campaign offers individuals, businesses, businessmen and influential philanthropists new ways to donate and make a difference, further promoting a culture of endowment as a traditionally rooted tool of development, and an investment for the future.

Dh5 million donation

On Monday, Landmark Group announced it will be contributing Dh5 million towards the 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign.

Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman of Landmark Group, said: “The UAE has become known for launching inspiring humanitarian drives during Ramadan. Our contribution to the largest Ramadan food aid endowment fund reflects our commitment to giving and represents Landmark Group’s philosophy of creating exceptional value for all lives we touch.”

“The campaign is particularly significant at a time when tens of millions of people struggle with hunger and food insecurity. Every little contribution to this endowment fund will positively impact the lives of the vulnerable, including children, refugees, displaced persons and victims of crises and natural disasters,” she added.

Donation channels

The 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign continues to welcome donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions and individuals across five main channels including the campaign’s website, as well as a dedicated call centre via the toll free number 800 9999.

Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates NBD (AE30 0260 0010 1533 3439 802).

Donations via SMS give contributors the option to donate Dh1 daily through a monthly subscription, by sending the word “Meal” to 1020 for du users, or to 1110 for Etisalat by e& users. T

hose who wish to donate to the campaign through the DubaiNow app can do so by clicking on the “Donations” tab, and there’s also the option to donate through the Smiles app.