DUBAI: UAE Food Bank projects last year helped more than 18 million people around the world, the Emirates News Agency reported on Monday.

The charity, which falls under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives, was founded with the aim of distributing surplus food to those in need while also reducing food waste.

In 2023, it received funding from 800 donors, including local and international charities and food businesses.

The UAE Food Bank’s annual results showed it was funded to the tune of approximately 14.7 million Emirati dirhams ($4 million) and diverted 6,000 tonnes of food from landfills.

The organization’s goal is to achieve a 30 percent cut in food waste by 2027, as well as lowering environmental pollution and food waste-related emissions.

Throughout last year, it collected items including fruit and vegetables, prepared meals, rice, wheat and its derivatives, pasta, meat, dairy and cheese products, other grocery items, chocolate, and water.

As part of relief efforts following earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, the UAE Food Bank delivered approximately 293 tonnes of food to the Emirates Red Crescent. Additionally, it sent 54 tonnes of food to Libya after floods there and another 60 tonnes as part of the Compassion for Gaza relief campaign.

Manal bin Yaroof, head of the UAE Food Bank’s executive team, said the results for 2023 exceeded performance indicators by 100 percent of the set targets, with it distributing more than 18.6 million meals.

During the same year, it forged at least 32 strategic alliances with public- and private-sector institutions, humanitarian organizations, charities, and food establishments.

The partnerships included 25 agreements to provide surplus food, three collaborations to reduce food waste and contribute funds, and one deal to recycle food waste.