Abu Dhabi: Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation will distribute more than 900,000 free iftar meals during Ramadan in the country, officials from the foundation announced on Sunday while detailing preparations for the month.
Ramadan is expected to start on May 17. Each year, the foundation distributes iftar packets among the needy people and families across the country.
The Civil Defence, food control and municipal authorities are preparing to visit homes to explain safe cooking practises; monitor food preparation, and to ensure safety at iftar tents.
Announcing details of Ramadan meals, Mohammad Haji Al Khoori, director-general of the foundation, said, “as many as 915,000 iftar meals will be distributed during the month of Ramadan and each day 30,500 meals will be handed out to people across the country.”
The foundation has already approached 305 women who will prepare the meals and distribute it to needy people in the country. The foundation has arranged all distribution points and transportation for a safe and hygienic delivery of iftar meals, he said.
More than 100 iftar meal distribution locations were identified by the foundation. The focus will be on workers’ accommodation camps across all seven emirates of the country, Al Khoori said.
Because of the hot weather we will carefully prepare and deliver meals to the needy in a very hygienic condition, Al Khoori said adding, “We have also selected meal items keeping in mind the hot weather.”
Each iftar packet will comprise of chicken biryani, gravy, dates, juice and water.
According to foundation officials, nobody will have to queue up for iftar meal collection, but it will be delivered at their accommodations every day.
Al Khoori thanked President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the noble initiative and appreciated the efforts of its partners and supporters, which include Civil Defence, Adnoc, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Emirates Post Group and Abu Dhabi Municipality.
Fire safety
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Defence also started visiting residential apartments, villas and homes to guide homemakers particularly those who are involved in preparing meals during Ramadan.
Colonel Tareq Saleh Mohammad from the Directorate General of Civil Defence, said, “We have already started visiting homes of residents to provide them fire safety guidance and safe cooking methods to avoid any fire incident during holy month.”
“Our role is to tell homemakers about the fire safety particularly when they are in kitchen to avoid any fire incident while cooking meals. We explain to household how to use fire extinguishers in case of fire,” he said.
“Our duty doesn’t end here but we will continue to inspect homes and spread awareness among residents throughout the month,” Colonel Mohammad said.
He said the guidelines and fire safety instructions are there and we target to visit each home.
