In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, UAE authorities issued new guidelines, prohibiting the distribution of iftar meals and donations of items at mosques during the Holy Month of Ramadan. However, people willing to donate during Ramadan can easily take the help of various apps and charity organizations in the UAE to support the cause. The UAE authorities have called on people to donate electronically through designated charities to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

On April 11, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai launched the "100 Million Meals" campaign with the aim of providing food packets to individuals and families in need across 20 countries during Ramadan.

People willing to contribute to the cause can donate a meal for just Dh1 by visiting the "100 Million Meals" website at www.100millionmeals.ae. They can make their desired payments for food packets to be donated across the world using their debit or credit card. Furthermore, the campaign’s call center will facilitate big monetary donations through its toll-free number 8004999.

At the same time, Etisalat and Du customers can make donations via SMS by texting "Meal" to the numbers listed on the "100 Million Meals" website. The numbers will help them in deciding the amount and number of meals that will be donated. For instance:

· 1034 for 10 meals (Dh10)

· 1035 for 40 meals (Dh50)

· 1036 for 100 meals (Dh100)

· 1037 for 300 meals (Dh300)

· 1038 for 500 meals (Dh500)

For more information, people can send their queries at [email protected].

In addition, people can donate to registered charities in the UAE through the DubaiNow app in order to make their contribution to the cause during Ramadan. Dubai now the app is a unified Dubai government services mobile application that allows its users to donate to various charities including the Red Crescent Society for a number of initiatives across the world.

There are various charities in the UAE that provide necessary welfare schemes for the upliftment of underprivileged communities across the world. People willing to donate food packets and other items during Ramadan can do so through these charity organizations:

·     Dubai Care: An international organization working to provide quality education to children.

·     Al Jalila Foundation: A not-for-profit organization aimed at contributing to education, medical treatment, and research in the UAE.

·     Noor Dubai: An organization working for visually impaired people.

· Dar Al Ber Society: A registered charitable institute that supports a number of welfare programs across the UAE

·     COVID-19 Solidarity Fund: It helps to mitigate the economic, social, and health impact of COVID-19 among the people.

·     Suqia: It helps in ensuring access to clean water to communities.

·     Beit Al Khair Society: A registered charity in the UAE helping families overcome difficult circumstances.

·     Year of Tolerance: The UAE launched a number of initiatives to support cancer patients and people of determination during the Year of Tolerance in 2019.

·     Donate to inmates: People can donate to the initiative to help inmates placed at various punitive and correctional institutions clear their outstanding charges and support their families.

·     Awqaf Dubai: It helps in providing safe water access and medical support to communities in need.

Apart from these organizations, there are a number of registered charities that have their own mobile apps. People can download mobile apps to make their contribution to various social support programs. Some of these charities include:

·     Emirates Red Crescent: With its app available on both Apple and Android stores, the organization allows people to donate to various initiatives that it has launched over time.

·     Beit Al Khair: People can donate for orphan's education, prisoners' families among other projects through the organization's app on both Apple and Android devices.

· Emirates Charity: Available on both Apple and Google devices, the app has been created by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) that supports a number of programs across the UAE.

·     International Humanitarian and Charity Organisation (IHCO): Through the app, people can donate to various initiatives across the world, including sponsoring orphans, helping families in becoming self-sufficient, providing employment. The IHCO runs a wide range of general and seasonal projects such as the Ramadan campaign.

·     Dar Al Ber Society: People are required to create an account on the app, available both on Apple and Google devices, in order to contribute to various programs, such as providing school supplies to children and treatment of people suffering from chronic diseases.