For most of us in the UAE, ordering groceries is an everyday convenience. A few taps on an app and everything from fresh vegetables to kitchen essentials arrives at our door. But for families in Gaza, putting food on the table remains a daily struggle.
Now, Careem is giving UAE residents a simple way to help. In partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the company has launched Groceries for Gaza, a new initiative that allows customers to purchase essential food boxes for families affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
With an estimated 80 per cent of the population out of work, even basic necessities such as fresh vegetables, protein and cooking fuel remain beyond reach for many households.
Available through Careem Quik until October 31, the campaign aims to raise AED 2 million, with donations starting at AED 92.
A Growing Need for Food Assistance
Despite modest improvements in food security, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. According to figures shared by WFP, approximately 1.4 million people, or two-thirds of the population, continue to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity.
Many families have been displaced multiple times, losing their homes, livelihoods and access to essential services. With an estimated 80 per cent of the population out of work, even basic necessities such as fresh vegetables, protein and cooking fuel remain beyond reach for many households.
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is also severely limited, making everyday life even more challenging.
WFP currently reaches around 1.5 million people in Gaza each month through food parcels, wheat flour, freshly baked bread, hot meals, school snacks, nutrition services and cash assistance.
However, the organisation warns that progress remains fragile. Without sustained humanitarian support, as much as 90 per cent of Gaza’s population could face high levels of acute food insecurity by the end of 2026.
How Groceries for Gaza Works
The initiative allows Careem customers to fund a food box for a family of five, choosing from four donation amounts depending on how many days of meals they would like to provide.
Each box contains essential ingredients including fortified wheat flour, pasta, lentils, beans, chickpeas, tomato paste, vegetable oil, salt and halva.
| Donation | Food provided |
|---|---|
| AED 92 | 3–4 days |
| AED 184 | One week |
| AED 367 | Two weeks |
| AED 734 | One month |
The largest package contains more than 47 kilograms of food, including 25 kilograms of flour, providing a family with basic ingredients for preparing meals over an entire month.
‘Our purpose is to improve people’s lives, and that doesn’t stop at our borders. Many families in Gaza still don’t know where their next meal will come from. We won’t look away, and neither will our community’
Mudassir Sheikha, Co-founder and CEO of Careem
Customers can donate a box independently or add one to their regular grocery order. Careem passes the full donation amount to WFP, which is responsible for procuring the food and delivering it to families most in need.
Building on Previous Support for Gaza
The campaign follows Careem’s earlier Seeds for Gaza initiative, which raised more than AED 3 million through contributions from customers and partners.
‘Our purpose is to improve people’s lives, and that doesn’t stop at our borders. Many families in Gaza still don’t know where their next meal will come from. We won’t look away, and neither will our community,’ said Mudassir Sheikha, Co-founder and CEO of Careem.
‘Through Seeds for Gaza, our customers and partners raised more than AED 3 million. With Groceries for Gaza, we’re making it simple for them to help again, every time they shop.’
Bashar Al Hammami, Head of WFP Global Office in the UAE, emphasised the importance of continued support.
‘The progress made in recent months is fragile. Without steady support, families in Gaza could slip back into hunger. Partners like Careem help us keep food reaching the families who need it most, and give people in the UAE a simple way to help. Every donation makes a real difference.’
How to Donate Via Careem
UAE residents wishing to contribute can open the Careem app, select Quik and look for the Groceries for Gaza banner. From there, simply choose a food box, add it to the basket and complete checkout as usual.
The campaign runs nationwide until October 31, 2026.
For families in Gaza, reliable access to food remains far from guaranteed. For those in the UAE who want to help, this initiative offers a practical way to turn an everyday grocery order into essential assistance for a family in need.
