H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, launched on Thursday the Co-operation and Partnership Initiative in support of the UAE Food Bank, a non-profit charitable organisation committed to distributing food to those in need while eliminating food waste.

H.H. Sheikh Saud also instructed the emirate’s government entities to support the food bank, launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to mark his accession day on 4th January.

Dr. Abdul Latif Khalifa, Secretary-General of the emirate’s Executive Council, said that H.H. Sheikh Saud directed Ras al-Khaimah Municipality and Tourism Development Authority to take necessary preparatory measures to co-ordinate and communicate with the subsidiaries, including hotels and food, hospitality and catering companies, to support the UAE Food Bank initiative, which is in tune with the declaration of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to observe 2017 as the "Year of Giving."

The Ras al-Khaimah Ruler also instructed the emirate’s Department of Works and Public Services to explore ways to co-operation with the UAE Food Bank in areas such as handling, packaging and distribution of surplus food within the framework of sustainable development, Khalifa said.

''This process will help reduce food waste and support related economic and industrial activities,'' he added.