ERC meat distribution campaign begins, aims to benefit 6.2M people

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has launched its annual meat distribution campaign for this year under the slogan "Your Giving Makes Their Eid", aiming to benefit 6.2 million people within the UAE and abroad, with an initial estimated budget exceeding AED 15 million.

Approximately 30,000 people within the UAE will benefit from the campaign, with a budget allocation of AED 2.7 million. Additionally, 6,133,983 individuals across 23 countries in Asia and Africa will benefit from the sacrificial meat programme, valued at AED 10 million.

Meanwhile, the Eid clothing programme will benefit 96,000 individuals with a budget of AED 3 million.

Hamoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, ERC's Deputy Secretary-General, stated that the project's budget and the number of beneficiaries could increase, depending on the support and generosity of donors and philanthropists.

He emphasised that this year’s sacrificial campaign coincides with the "Year of Community," aimed at promoting compassion, solidarity, social cohesion, and activating humanitarian initiatives while reinforcing shared social responsibility.

Al Junaibi added that the sacrificial meat project not only upholds the religious practice of sacrifice but also enhances social responsibility among individuals, institutions, and companies. This commitment is reflected annually in the extensive support and engagement the campaign receives.

He also confirmed that the philanthropic organisation has developed a comprehensive plan to achieve the project’s objectives both domestically and internationally.

He noted that ERC’s centres across the UAE have completed preparations to implement the sacrificial meat project in a manner that fulfills its goals and meets the expectations of beneficiaries. The Authority aims to broaden the scope of beneficiaries this year, ensuring the programme reaches more targeted segments within the country.

On the international implementation of the project, Fahad Abdulrahman bin Sultan, ERC Deputy Secretary-General for Development and International Cooperation, explained that this year’s campaign comes amid difficult and complex humanitarian conditions affecting many communities worldwide due to escalating crises, disasters, food shortages, and economic challenges.

Therefore, ERC has expanded the campaign’s outreach outside the UAE to cover millions across 23 countries.