(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Dubai Cable Company (Ducab) is to contribute US$2 to the Salma Humanitarian Relief Programme that offers halal meals to victims of wars and conflicts across the globe.
The initiative, to contribute till July 9, is part of the Ducab''s ''Gift of Light'' drive which is launched in cooperation with the Awqaf and Minors Affair Foundation (AMAF) in this holy month of Ramadan. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa, Chief Commercial Officer at Ducab, said the move is aimed to support campaigns and projects that enhance people''s lives worldwide, especially those that have been inflicted by wars and conflicts. "Everybody is invited to be a part of this unique humanitarian campaign just by sending a message onducabgiftoflight.com. It does show solidarity and compassion." Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General of AMAF, said the contribution will help assist more victims and underprivileged people. "We have already supported thousands of families in Palestine, Jordan, Yemen and the Philippines with food meals." AMAF launched the Programme in 2014 in partnership with the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Center and Noor Awqaf, UN World Food Programme and Dubai International Humanitarian City that offers logistical support to the project. "The only cross-border endowment in the world, initially financed by the Dubai government and other sponsors to make food aids more accessible, consistent and efficient, was launched by H.H. Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 2014." The scheme, named after the first Emirati nurse Salma Al Sharhan, distributes 100 percent halal long-life meals to victims of human or natural disasters across the world disregard their religion, colour or background, he pointed out. "Contribution to the Salma project is possible via SMS messages. Etisalat and Du subscribers can donate Dh10 to 7710, Dh50 to 7750, and Dh100 to 3100," he said. "Transfers to AMAF''s Dubai Islamic Bank''s account number (01-520-9451498-01) and via Noor Bank''s ATM machines are also accepted." Each three-year valid pouch of food contains 200 grams of tasty, healthy and nutritive food, which was mainly red meat in the first phase, while halal chicken and vegetarian meals will be produced in later stages, he elaborated. Al Rais told Khaleej Times before that the pouch, worth Dh10, is the same as those taken by astronauts when they fly into space. "This seven-layer packet can be dropped from a height of 1,000 feet without any effect to contents." The pouches, prepared in Netherland according to the highest standards of food and hygiene, are available all the year round unlike sacrificial meat which is offered at certain seasons like Haj and Umrah. Abdul Wahab Soufan, Director of the Salma project, said the profits to be generated from processing cattle secondary products, such as wool, leather and fat will be directed towards the project''s endowment programme. "These will save operational and administrational costs and ensure the programme sustainability." Abdallah Al-Wardat, Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in UAE, said with over 850 million suffering malnutrition, the project helps fight hunger in times of emergency. "It supports WFP''s efforts to deliver immediate, life-saving support to displaced families that do not have the means to carry and cook unprocessed food."
Ahmed Shaaban Master''s degree in Mass Media with 19 year experience in media and translation