Latest news with #MohsenSarhan
The National
02-05-2025
- General
- The National
'Less talk, more action' needed to end hunger, says Egyptian Food Bank chief
Global hunger cannot be eradicated completely but the world can try to ease the burden on those affected, the chief executive of the Egyptian Food Bank has said. Mohsen Sarhan said everyone was 'full of bright ideas' but 'there was nothing more to discover in the world of hunger'. Speaking to The National on Thursday, Mr Sarhan said now was the time do just do something about it. 'It cannot be ended as a global issue,' said Mr Sarhan, on the sidelines of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development conference. 'But the best we can try to do is to make life a little bit easier on those who are affected.' The situation is severe. According to the UN in 2023, 66.1 million people − about 14 per cent of the population in the Arab region – faced hunger. A further report in 2024 stated that globally between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger – including one out of every five in Africa. Mr Sarhan said blaming the hungry was a common theme, especially among the privileged, who assume the poor don't want to work. ''They do not want to work. They're just too lazy. They can't stick to a job,' − I hear that all the time,' said Mr Sarhan. He said a major part of the EFB's funding goes to giving families food subsidies and people told him that 'you are encouraging them not to work'. But he said the families they give this aid to are either elderly or disabled people or female-led households where the woman works at least three jobs and still cannot afford enough food. 'So, that's where we step in,' he said. 'Poverty is a structural issue. You don't get to choose which family you were born into or which country or which economic conditions,' he said. 'And then poverty breeds more poverty, which we call in our business the poverty trap.' He pointed to a programme launched by the bank two years ago, where they empower women to become farmers − with crops such as in dates, beans and lentils − and then purchase the produce from them. The food bank was established in 2006 and, while its mandate is to help the most vulnerable in Egypt, it has also worked across the region in Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan and most recently in Gaza. It has also teamed up with the UAE's 100 Million Meals campaign to provide food to low-income families during Ramadan. Reflecting on global aid funding reductions from the US, Mr Sarhan said this had done 'tremendous damage' globally − including in Egypt. He pointed to the cuts to the World Food Programme that provides support to the needy across the world. 'These people got switched off in a moment with one decision,' he said. 'I don't think that's right.' When asked if the gravity of the situation gets him down, Mr Sarhan said it 'could kill you, but again, what I'm trying to do is be very micro-focused'. He added that 'today, was a very good day. We try to celebrate it. Tomorrow, it hasn't come yet.' The Dihad event this year aims to tackle the issue of humanitarian aid in a polarised world. Michela Matuella, director of the emergency response co-ordination centre within the directorate-general for the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, earlier told attendees the world was in an era of increasing fragility where 'blatant violations' of international humanitarian law have become 'alarmingly frequent'. 'There are mounting obstacles to delivering aid to those most in need,' she said. 'Access is denied. Workers are killed, hospitals and schools are attacked. Children are caught in the crossfire. The number of people forced to flee their homes continues to rise and the escalating climate crisis further intensifies global humanitarian needs.' Ms Matuella said in 2025 an estimated 305 million individuals in the world will require urgent aid and protection yet the gap between resources and needs was widening. 'This is real human suffering,' she added. But Ms Matuella issued a call to action stating humanitarian aid had to be delivered in tandem with long-term thinking and financing − harnessing everyone from the private sector to philanthropic organisations. 'I have a very simple message to convey,' she said. 'As the winds of isolationism whip across the world, the EU will remain a strong, reliable and committed humanitarian partner. You can count on us.'
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The CMA CGM Foundation and the Egyptian Food Bank partner to support communities in need in Egypt
These packages were packed and prepared by 30 CMA CGM Group staff members, alongside Egyptian Food Bank volunteers. They will support approximately 5,000 individuals, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals throughout the Holy Month. The CMA CGM Foundation and the Egyptian Food Bank have established a long-term partnership to support communities in need in Egypt. The collaboration kicks off with a large-scale Ramadan initiative, distributing 1,000 food parcels to support approximately 5,000 individuals, ensuring vulnerable families have access to essential meals during the Holy Month. 30 CMA CGM Group staff members, led by the CEO of CMA CGM Egypt, Tariq Zaghloul, teamed up with Egyptian Food Bank volunteers to pack food parcels, which were distributed March 6. Their joint efforts focus on reaching the most underserved communities, particularly in rural areas, to provide critical nourishment to those in need. 'We are proud to partner with the Egyptian Food Bank to help tackle food insecurity. Our shared commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, particularly during Ramadan, is a powerful reflection of the CMA CGM Foundation's values of solidarity and humanitarian aid," said Tariq Zaghloul, CEO of CMA CGM Egypt. 'I want to express my deepest gratitude to our staff for their dedication and to the Egyptian Food Bank for their expertise. This is just the beginning of our long-term commitment to help more families in need.' Mohsen Sarhan, CEO of Egyptian Food Bank, remarked, "Our partnership with the CMA CGM Foundation represents a powerful step forward in our mission to combat food insecurity and ensure that no family is left behind. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as Ramadan is a month of giving and solidarity, and through this collaboration, we are able to provide essential food supplies to thousands of individuals who need them most.' He added, 'The impact of this collaboration will extend far beyond Ramadan, fostering sustained food security within vulnerable communities across Egypt, and demonstrating our shared, unwavering commitment to alleviating the suffering from hunger." Throughout the year, the CMA CGM Foundation and the Egyptian Food Bank will organize additional solidarity initiatives to ensure a lasting and sustainable impact. This marks the second consecutive year that the CMA CGM Foundation has distributed food packages in Egypt, following last year's efforts in Alexandria and Cairo, where staff members mobilized to distribute over 1,000 packages for Ramadan. The CMA CGM Foundation's global commitment to support those facing food insecurity The CMA CGM Foundation is dedicated to supporting those facing food insecurity by providing financial, human, and logistical assistance to strengthen food distribution and aid efforts. In France and its overseas territories, the Foundation partners with leading food aid organizations, including Restos du Coeur, French Food Banks, Secours Populaire, Secours Catholique, and ANDES. In Lebanon, the Foundation plays a key role in distributing hot meals and has contributed to the construction of a community kitchen in Beirut, capable of serving 3,000 meals a day. Beyond France and Lebanon, the Foundation extends its impact globally, notably in the United States through its partnership with The Salvation Army. Through its sustained commitment, the Foundation has enabled the distribution of over 10 million meals worldwide to those in need. About the CMA CGM Foundation Founded in 2005 and chaired by Tanya Saadé Zeenny, the CMA CGM Foundation focuses on humanitarian action and access to education. It embodies and translates the family values and solidarity of the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in transport and logistics, into concrete actions. Facing crises, the Foundation leverages the expertise of the CMA CGM Group to deliver essential humanitarian supplies. It also supports access to quality education, professional training and integration, as well as educational and social innovation. To date, the Foundation has transported 63,000 tons of humanitarian aid to 97 countries, supported over 550 educational projects in France, Lebanon, and around the world, and assisted 55 entrepreneurs through its social incubator, Le Phare. About Egyptian Food Bank: The Egyptian Food Bank was established in 2004 as a non-governmental organization dedicated to achieving food security in Egypt. Over the past 20 years, the Egyptian Food Bank – the region's first development institution specializing in providing healthy food to those in need – has consistently supported the most vulnerable families in Egypt, addressing the challenges of accessing sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, directly contributing to the national effort to alleviate hunger.
Zawya
10-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
‘The MarQ Communities' partners with the ‘Egyptian Food Bank' to support families in need during Ramadan
Cairo, As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, The MarQ Communities, one of the leading developers of residential communities and commercial destinations, has announced its collaboration with the Egyptian Food Bank to distribute Ramadan boxes containing essential food supplies. This initiative aims to support 20,000 individuals in need during the holy month. This effort aligns with the company's mission to promote social solidarity, contribute to sustainable development, and reinforce the private sector's role in addressing community needs and improving the lives of families in need. On this occasion, Eng. Amr Badr, Chairman and CEO of The MarQ Communities, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration with the Egyptian Food Bank, stating: 'Our role extends beyond developing residential communities; we firmly believe in our social responsibility to drive sustainability and actively contribute to community development. Ramadan presents a significant opportunity to strengthen this social role, embodying the values of solidarity and cooperation. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to supporting families in need. Our partnership with the 'Egyptian Food Bank' serves as a model for collaboration between the private sector and community organizations, delivering tangible benefits to society while fostering the values of solidarity and social cohesion that we strive to promote'. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Mohsen Sarhan, CEO of the Egyptian Food Bank, expressed his pride in the partnership with The MarQ Communities, stating: 'We are delighted to collaborate with 'The MarQ Communities' on this initiative, which reflects the company's strong commitment to supporting families in need across Egypt and promoting the values of solidarity and cooperation. The private sector plays a crucial role in advancing social development goals, and at the Egyptian Food Bank, we have the expertise and capacity to implement such initiatives on a large scale across Egypt. This enables us to meet the needs of those who deserve support, ultimately creating a direct and positive impact on individuals' lives and improving communities.' The MarQ Communities' employees actively participated in the packaging of the food boxes, which contain essential food supplies. This activity was held at the company's flagship and one of its most distinguished residential communities, 'The MarQ Gardens'. The initiative reinforced the company's dedication to involving all team members in this humanitarian effort, fostering a spirit of collaboration among employees while strengthening the values of solidarity and meaningful community engagement. This initiative underscores The MarQ Communities' commitment to integrating corporate social responsibility into its comprehensive strategy by supporting underprivileged groups within society. Moreover, the partnership with the Egyptian Food Bank exemplifies an effective collaboration between the private sector and NGOs, aiming to create a tangible, positive impact while fostering social solidarity across Egypt.
Zawya
10-03-2025
- General
- Zawya
From Cairo to Aswan, Egyptian Food Bank partners with 4,000 NGOs
Cairo: As part of its commitment to ensuring food security for the most vulnerable communities across Egypt, Egyptian Food Bank, the region's first developmental institution dedicated to providing nutritious food to those in need, has joined forces with an extensive network of approximately 4,000 partner NGOs registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. This collaboration facilitates the implementation of a diverse range of initiatives and programs throughout the holy month of Ramadan in 2025, benefiting around 700,000 families and reaching 4 million individuals from the most underprivileged segments of society. Egyptian Food Bank's Ramadan initiatives include various programs designed to guarantee the delivery of sufficient and nutritious food to those in need, spanning across remote areas and the most underprivileged villages. These efforts encompass the distribution of Iftar and Suhoor meals through initiatives such as the "A share in an Iftar Tent" program, the "Iftar Meal" initiative, and the organization of charity Iftar tables. Additionally, the organization provides monthly food assistance through "Ramdan Happiness box". Volunteers play a crucial role in these activities, serving as an integral part of the success and impact of these initiatives. 'Our true strength lies in the vast network of community-based organizations (CBOs) we collaborate with, approximately 4,000 across different governorates of Egypt. This extensive partnership allows us to optimize the utilization of available resources and ensure that food aid reaches the most vulnerable families with the highest levels of efficiency. The Egyptian Food Bank adheres to strict selection criteria when partnering with CBOs, which include administrative competence, financial sustainability, logistical capabilities, as well as strong community connections that enhance the effectiveness of food distribution.' remarked, Mohsen Sarhan, CEO of Egyptian Food Bank. 'Every year during Ramadan, we work on uniting the efforts of donor companies, volunteers, and our CBO partners to ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it the most. These partnerships form a fundamental pillar of the Egyptian Food Bank's mission and play a key role in enhancing the impact of our initiatives,' he added. This year, the Egyptian Food Bank's Ramadan operations are driven by its extensive network of CBO partners, which span across border governorates like North and South Sinai, Upper Egypt, Marsa Matrouh, and the New Valley. EFB is committed to training its partners and enhancing their capabilities to implement food programs in alignment with predefined standards, ensuring optimal distribution efficiency and the seamless delivery of aid to beneficiaries. In collaboration with its CBO partners, Egyptian Food Bank aims to set up a number of Ramadan tents across various locations, providing Iftar and Suhoor meals to the most underprivileged, thereby alleviating their burdens during the holy month. Additionally, the organization is relaunching its 'Tekya Al Mahrousa' mobile kitchen to distribute freshly prepared meals in public squares across different governorates, ensuring direct access to hot, nutritious food for those in need. In line with these efforts, Egyptian Food Bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport to implement "Iftar at the Station" initiative. This program aims to distribute 3,500 "Iftaar Saeem" packs daily throughout the holy month of Ramadan, totaling 100,000 packs. The distribution will focus on the busiest metro stations along the first and second lines, including Ramses, Attaba, Tahrir, Giza, Shubra El-Kheima, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Faculty of Agriculture. Egyptian Food Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving food security in Egypt while maintaining the highest standards of transparency and efficiency in resource distribution. The organization continues to implement developmental projects designed to support community growth, guided by a structured strategy based on four key pillars; protection, prevention, empowerment, and enhancement. These pillars collectively strengthen the organization's ability to address the needs of the community in a comprehensive and impactful manner. About Egyptian Food Bank Egyptian Food Bank was established in 2004 as a non-governmental organization aimed at achieving food security in Egypt, and for 20 years, the Food Bank has continued to support the underprivileged families in Egypt who face difficulties and challenges in obtaining sufficient, safe and nutritious food, which directly contributed to alleviating the suffering from hunger at the national level.
Zawya
04-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Amazon Egypt, Share a Smile, and Egyptian Food Bank contribute to 1.3 million Ramadan meals as part of 'Iftar on Wheels' program
Amazon pledges 3000 kilograms of essential groceries for families in need in Istabl Antar through the Ramadan Box on Cairo, Egypt: For the sixth consecutive year, Amazon Egypt is bringing back its food security efforts this Ramadan, through the 'Iftar on Wheels' program in partnership with Share a Smile Foundation and the Egyptian Food Bank. Through this program, Amazon Egypt aims to contribute to a total of 1.3 million meals during the holy month of Ramadan across Egypt. Amazon leverages its extensive and efficient delivery network for its community impact activities in Ramadan, while its employees actively participate as volunteers each year, reinforcing the company's commitment towards supporting the local community. Omar Elsahy, Amazon Egypt's General Manager, said, 'Ramadan is a time when communities in Egypt come together to support the less fortunate. At Amazon, we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute through our Iftar On Wheels program. Over the past years, working with our partners, we have been able to provide over 4 million meals to more than 140,000 beneficiaries. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to our community. We strive to make a positive impact by collaborating with major organizations to assist those in need and encourage a culture of giving among our employees. Our aim is to build meaningful relationships and contribute to families across Egypt in a tangible way.' Mohsen Sarhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Food Bank, added: 'We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Amazon for the sixth year running. This partnership has proven to be invaluable in reaching families in need during Ramadan. By combining our expertise in food security with Amazon's logistical capabilities, we can make a significant impact on the lives of countless Egyptians during this sacred time.' Nagwa Elassy, Founder of Share a Smile Foundation, commented, 'Renewing our partnership with Amazon Egypt over the years through this impactful initiative enables us to continue our vital role in supporting the community. Their continued commitment to food security and community support during Ramadan has a significant impact on the lives of those in need. With the help of Amazon's volunteers and extensive network, we are able to reach even more families this year, ensuring that they have the nourishment and care they deserve. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals, and we are grateful for Amazon's unwavering dedication to this cause.' Amazon is driven by the belief that no one should go hungry. The company recognizes that collective action can meaningfully create access to more meals for those in need. As part of its commitment to combating food insecurity, Amazon is engaged in a variety of initiatives and encourages participation in numerous activities. These activities include hosting food drives within its facilities and communities, encouraging employees to volunteer at local food banks, and organizing meal-packing events. The company's approach demonstrates its dedication to leveraging its resources, logistics expertise, and vast network of employees to make a tangible difference in addressing hunger. By facilitating these diverse activities, Amazon aims to create an impact on food security in the communities where it operates, embodying its commitment to social responsibility and community support. Nadine Abou El-Gheit, Amazon Community Impact Lead, stated, 'At Amazon, we recognize that food security is a fundamental human right and a critical component of community well-being. It is not just about having enough food—it's about ensuring everyone has access to nutritious, affordable meals. We also strive to embed a culture of volunteerism, a key component in Amazon's global community impact priorities to instill the values of giving back to the community. This program embodies the spirit of Ramadan and reflects our commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of families during this special time.' Moreover, Amazon has introduced its annual Amazon Ramadan Box, powered by Lipton, which is a curated 7KG package filled with essential groceries including rice, sugar, cooking oil, lentil, ghee, pasta, fava beans, and tea priced at EGP385. Customers can take part in spreading the blessings of the holy month by choosing to send the Ramadan Box to a charity organization of their choice or directly to families in need. Amazon Egypt is contributing over 3,000 kilograms of Ramadan Boxes to Tawasol Organization, a move that will support families in need in Istabl Antar. Amazon's fulfillment network in Egypt comprises two fulfillment centers with over 100,000 cubic meters of storage capacity and 22 delivery stations serving 25 governorates. Amazon employees also contribute to their local communities through various initiatives and customer-focused offerings. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit and follow @AmazonNews.
