Dubai's Pakistan Association gives away food vouchers to over 1,000 families

With the holy month of Ramadan under way,  the Pakistan Association Dubai on Monday launched a host of initiatives in line with the Year of Giving initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The highlight of the initiatives was a unique Ramadan Food Package distribution, which is done every year by PAD, however, this year it was done in a different way.
Briefing the media on this initiative, Dr Faisal Ikram, general secretary of PAD said: " This year instead of giving food packets to the needy, we have tied up with LuLu Hypermarket to give out a voucher worth Dh300 to any needy family who comes to us. This card enables them to buy any food items (listed with LuLu) they want from any LuLu branch in the UAE as per their needs. The voucher is valid at all LuLu outlets and can be used a multiple number of times until the whole Dh300 are not used.The objective is to support families in need in a way that best suits them."
On Monday, over 250 families collected the Ramadan food package voucher from PAD's office in Oud Metha. "We will be giving about 1,200 vouchers to the needy families this year," Dr Faisel added.
Elaborating more on the initiative, Shahidul Islam, who heads the welfare committee of the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), said: " We have certain criteria to identify the needy families eligible for this Ramadan Food voucher. Some of the important documents required include copies of valid visa, passport and salary certificate of the earning member of the household."
Giving a background of the whole Ramadan Food pack voucher, Shahidul Islam told Khaleej Times: "PAD started the Ramadan food distribution six years ago by giving each needy family 20kg to 35kg ration (which included rice, sugar, pulses and other similar food Items). Since keeping such huge packs posed a logistical issue for us (in terms of storing and distributing them) as well as for the families to carry the packs, we tied up with LuLu Hypermarket to give these Dh300 food vouchers. This will enable families to collect what they want as per their need from any of LuLu's branches throughout the year."
Elaborating on the other initiatives launched during this Ramadan, Dr Faisel said with the support of the Pakistani consulate, PAD also will work on a release of prisoners programme where we help in the release of prisoners who have been jailed for minor offences and help them return to their families back home. We also visit them in jail and give them Eid gifts and assist them in any which way."
This charity foundation will distribute 100,000 iftar meals in Ramadan
PAD's medical wing, like every year, will organize a Health Awareness Camp on June 9 at the Majid Al Futtaim camp for labourers. "Not only do we give them free health checks but also free Iftar and Eid gifts for Eid. Over 1,000 labourers benefit from this Ramadan medical camp," he added.
PAD has also collaborated with Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi's foundation on a daily Iftar distribution in the Pakistan Education Academy mosque in Oud Metha. Every day 250 Iftar packs are given out at this mosque.
Another initiative that will be held on June15-16, 2017 is the mosque cleaning activity, when the community members come together to clean up a community mosque at the Pakistan Education Academy.
Lastly, PAD's Pakistan Youth Forum will also be organising a Shukran initiative to honour labourers on June 22, 2017 at a local labour accommodation. Here they will give out Eid gifts to labourers.
"All these initiatives are supported by the Community Development Authority - Dubai and our inspired with Sheikh Khalifa's Year of Giving initiative, Dr Faisel reiterated.
saman@khlaeejtimes.com