Sharjah 24: In line with the strategic direction of the UAE to strengthen the food security and sustainability, ensuring the continuity of supply chains, and increasing the contribution of local food production, and coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, Arada Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of Arada Development Company LLC, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), its first Ramadan initiative, which aims to distribute 4 thousand boxes to a group of families, and include healthy agricultural and food products produced by a number of Emirati farms.

The boxes will be distributed during the period from the sixth of Ramadan, April 18, for a period of 20 days.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, stated that this initiative constitutes a living embodiment of the cooperation of the public and private sectors for the sake of community service, and is especially important as it is taking place now in the holy month of Ramadan, the month of goodness and blessing.

His Excellency maintained that MoCCAE is always ready to cooperate and assist all companies wishing to return the favour to society, praising the efforts exerted by Arada, in cooperation with a number of private and semi-government entities. 

His Excellency added that such an initiative reflects the values of the UAE learned from the late, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid the foundations for voluntary and charitable work in the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada’s Board of Directors, stated that the Ramadan initiative comes within the commitment to support and empower various local communities, highlighting that Arada is looking forward to achieve several goals, most notably improving the quality and value of the food products produced in the UAE.

He added that Arada is proud of the partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Arada will strive to enhance cooperation between the two sides to develop similar initiatives that support the goals and future visions of the ministry.

The initiative will be implemented under the supervision of the Manbat Market for Agricultural Products, which was launched by Arada Company. It is currently being held on a weekly basis in the Aljada integrated project in the heart of Sharjah. During the holy month of Ramadan, it receives its visitors on Friday and Saturday from nine in the evening until one after midnight.

The mechanism for preparing boxes that will be distributed within the initiative will include the participation of large numbers of volunteers in farms, including Arada employees, helping in picking products and packing 200 boxes per day. All products will undergo food safety and quality checks approved by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Sharjah Cooperative Society will transport the boxes in refrigerated trucks and delivered to the Sharjah Charity International, which will distribute the boxes to families in the various regions of the Emirates, each box contains 16 items in total, including vegetables, honey and dates.

This Ramadan campaign represents the first official activities implemented by Arada Charitable Foundation, which was recently established to unify and organise all efforts and initiatives of social responsibility. The Foundation will provide its charitable services to many groups inside and outside the UAE through internal funding, and details of the foundation's activities will be announced later this year.