Helping hands in action: UAE's volunteering spirit shines through ne'ma's Iftar Box Packing initiative

Al Etihad

13-03-2025

SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
ne'ma, the UAE's National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, on Thursday hosted an iftar box packing event at its offices in Al Qana, where volunteers, partners and community members joined hands to support its expanding Food Rescue Programme.
The event saw 100 volunteers, including staff, corporate partners, and the public, coming together to pack iftar boxes for distribution to low-income beneficiaries.
The Iftar Box Packing Initiative is part of ne'ma's broader Valuing Our Roots campaign for Ramadan 2025, which reinforces the importance of responsible consumption, sustainability and community-driven action.
ne'ma's Food Rescue Programme works to ensure that surplus food is safely redistributed rather than wasted, engaging key stakeholders across the food value system - including the hospitality sector, food producers and distributors - to divert food and deliver it to those in need.
ne'ma is a collaborative effort with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Emirates Foundation and many other stakeholders across the nation to build a network of trusted food loss and waste champions in the UAE, according to its website.
Speaking to Aletihad, Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of Ne'ma's Committee, said: "At the heart of ne'ma work is preserving existing food supplies so they are not wasted and are redirected to those in need. Many companies, especially during Ramadan, the month of giving, wish to donate their surplus to us. We collaborate with social benefit and charitable organisations, such as the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, through which we deliver the products you saw today, as well as ne'ma iftar boxes to needy families. What also distinguishes us this year is that we have expanded the scope of the initiative. We are now present in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Bani Yas, Sharjah, and Al Falah in Abu Dhabi."
The campaign saw increased distribution this year and plans to expand to more emirates in the future.
A key attribute of its success is the strong collaboration with volunteers from various companies, highlighting the community's spirit of giving.
Al Nuwais added: "Today, perhaps the reason for the initiative's success is the community's engagement this year. The spirit of volunteering you saw today is what sets this initiative apart and highlights how people are united in their desire to deliver food to needy families or individuals. This year, the collaboration between the ne'ma initiative and the Takatof has made a positive difference, contributing back to the community with a positive spirit. Whatever is delivered will reach the people. Of course, the primary goal of the ne'ma initiative is to reduce food waste, which aligns with the country's food security strategy and reflects the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to conserve our resources and rationalise consumption."
Takatof is a voluntary social programme designed by the Emirates Foundation to foster a culture of volunteering in the UAE.
Mohamed Al Hosani, Director of Programmes at the Emirates Foundation, said the Iftar Box Packing Initiative initiative has more than 400 volunteers across the country. "
Their main task includes collecting surplus food and distributing it to those in need in various parts of the country, as well as providing food to those in need elsewhere. We deliver the boxes through our partners, whom we thank," Al Hosani told Aletihad.
"Today, we have many partners and volunteers, mostly employees who have the opportunity to volunteer in this field, and the demand is very high. The challenge we face is that the number of volunteers exceeds the available opportunities," he added.
Al Hosani stressed that the culture of volunteering has grown significantly in the UAE, with a noticeable rise in participation in recent years.
Many individuals are actively engaging in volunteer efforts, particularly in helping families in need.
Dr. Bushra Al Ghailani, a volunteer participating in packing ne'ma iftar boxes, told Aletihad: "This year, the Year of the Community, we are eager to serve. The initiative aims to preserve blessings and reduce food waste by distributing it to needy families."
"Such initiatives remind us of our responsibility to society, especially during Ramadan. I encourage everyone to participate and involve their families as it is a small service we offer in return to the state and society," She added.
Another volunteer, Mosab Hassan shared his experience with Aletihad: "Volunteering is not new to me. I participated last year during Ramadan with the Emirates Red Crescent. These experiences highlight our company's commitment to giving back to the community. With over 10 years of volunteering, I find joy in helping others and making their lives easier. It is a beautiful sight to see so many people unite for a noble cause."