E-commerce giant, Amazon has introduced a new initiative called “Iftar on Wheels” in the UAE, a meal donation program that will assist families in need during Ramadan. The company will leverage its delivery network, scale, logistics, and technology to help reach and serve the underprivileged.
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The initiative
The program is in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank and builds on Amazon’s tradition of assisting underprivileged families through a combination of financial contributions, delivery services, and volunteer support.
Hundreds of Amazon employees across the UAE will participate in the event, packaging and delivering food and participating in iftar events.
Why does it matter?
This year’s program is a part of Amazon’s global community engagement pillar, Right Now Needs, which seeks to eliminate poverty, hunger, homelessness, and natural disasters.
Amazon has created one of the world’s most advanced operations and fulfillment networks to receive, pack, and ship orders, and this Ramadan, the company will leverage its expertise in safe, reliable, and convenient delivery to bring joy to families in need.
Speaking about the partnership, Manal Obaid Yaroof, Chairperson of UAE Food Bank Steering Committee said, “Generosity is an integral part of Emirati culture, and the Holy month of Ramadan is a reminder for us to show kindness and compassion to those less fortunate. Through partnerships with private sector companies such as Amazon, we continue to promote a culture of food sharing and influence behavior towards food waste. Amazon’s ‘Iftar on Wheels’ is a great way to deliver meals directly to thousands of families in need. Leveraging the power of Amazon’s technology, people and the company’s vast delivery network, the program will help us reach out to even more families across the country.”
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 of achieving zero hunger, and Amazon has delivered millions of meals to underserved communities in the Middle East and North Africa region over the past four years.
“Ramadan is a very special time for us at Amazon. Every year, as we continue to serve customers during the busy season, we also invest in programs that nurture a meaningful work environment where our teams have the opportunity to give back to the community. This year, we are launching ‘Iftar on Wheels’, a program that utilises our logistics, delivery and people networks to deliver thousands of meals to families in need across the UAE. Amazon is constantly working with community partners across the MENA region to find practical solutions to immediate needs such as hunger and natural disasters, leveraging our scale as a force for good,” added Prashant Saran, Director of Operations, Amazon MENA.
About Amazon
Since its launch in the UAE, Amazon has been investing in strengthening its presence and launching various service offerings to enhance the order fulfilment experience for customers in the UAE. Today, Amazon Operations’ network across the UAE comprises of three Fulfillment Centres, three sort centres, eight delivery stations and a network of small and medium businesses working as Delivery Service Partners.
