In a powerful demonstration of compassion and community spirit, the annual “Joy of Giving” initiative by Aster Volunteers has once again brought relief and comfort to thousands during Ramadan. This year, the programme is delivering 150,000 Iftar kits across Dubai, ensuring that fasting motorists and vulnerable workers can break their fast with dignity and ease.
Backed by the integrated healthcare network of Aster DM Healthcare and supported by Dubai Police, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to community wellbeing, safety, and solidarity during the holy month.
A Citywide Effort During Rush Hour
Each evening, as traffic builds up across Dubai’s busiest junctions, more than 100 volunteers step into action. Positioned at six major traffic intersections, teams distribute Iftar kits to motorists who are often caught on the road when it is time to break their fast.
On average, 5,000 food boxes are distributed daily over 30 days, with some evenings reaching up to 6,000 boxes. The seamless coordination between volunteers and Dubai Police ensures that the distribution takes place safely, even during peak rush hour.
Each Iftar kit is thoughtfully prepared to provide immediate nourishment. The boxes include dates, water, juice, and cake — simple yet essential items that allow fasting individuals to break their fast on time, even if they are far from home.
For many motorists, this small act of kindness makes a significant difference. After long working hours and extended commutes, receiving an Iftar kit at the right moment turns an ordinary traffic stop into a moment of gratitude and human connection.
Leadership Rooted in Compassion
The initiative continues to receive strong support from senior leadership at Aster DM Healthcare.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, emphasized that Ramadan is not only a time of fasting but also a season of empathy, unity, and reflection.
He highlighted that while distributing Iftar kits addresses an immediate need for those on the road, the broader outreach efforts are equally significant. The programme seeks to reach communities that often remain unseen and underserved, reinforcing the organisation’s deeper mission of accessible and inclusive care.
From healthcare professionals to pharmacy staff and retail employees, volunteers from across the Aster network actively participate in the drive. Community members also join hands, making the effort truly collective.
Extending Care Beyond the City
While the city-based Iftar distribution forms a visible part of the campaign, the “Joy of Giving” programme extends far beyond Dubai’s urban landscape.
Outreach teams travel to remote desert outskirts in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, where vulnerable farm labourers and shepherds live and work in isolated shelters. These workers often endure long hours under harsh weather conditions, with limited access to healthcare facilities and essential supplies.
To support them, Aster Volunteers distribute one-month essential food and grocery ration kits. These packages are designed to sustain individuals and families who face logistical and economic challenges in accessing basic necessities.
Medical volunteer teams accompany the outreach missions, conducting preliminary health screenings and consultations. Essential medicines, skincare supplies, and vitamin supplements are also provided to help address common health concerns linked to extreme working environments.
By physically reaching these remote communities, the initiative bridges gaps in access to care and essential services. It ensures that humanitarian support is not limited to visible urban spaces but reaches those working quietly behind the scenes in the agricultural ecosystem.
Partnership With Dubai Police
The collaboration with Dubai Police plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of the Iftar distribution drive.
Officers assist in traffic management and help maintain order at distribution points, prioritizing the safety of both volunteers and motorists. Their involvement underscores a shared responsibility toward community welfare during Ramadan.
The partnership also symbolizes unity between corporate organisations and public institutions, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can amplify impact and reach.
A Tradition of Giving Back
Now in its seventh year, the Ramadan outreach programme has become a defining part of Aster Volunteers’ annual calendar. Last year, the campaign successfully distributed 150,000 Iftar kits across the UAE, continuing a long-standing tradition of service.
This year’s consolidated “Joy of Giving” programme strengthens that commitment further, combining urban Iftar distribution with rural humanitarian outreach under one unified banner.
The initiative is not simply about numbers, though the scale is impressive. Delivering 150,000 Iftar kits requires meticulous planning, logistical coordination, volunteer engagement, and collaboration with authorities. It reflects months of preparation and a clear strategic focus on community impact.
Human Stories Behind the Numbers
Behind every food box handed through a car window lies a story. A delivery driver racing against time. A construction worker heading back to shared accommodation. A taxi driver navigating traffic just minutes before Maghrib.
For those in remote desert regions, the stories are equally profound — farm labourers tending crops under the sun, shepherds safeguarding livestock, families living miles away from urban convenience.
The “Joy of Giving” programme recognizes these realities and responds with empathy. By offering nourishment, medical support, and essential supplies, it brings not just relief but reassurance.
Strengthening Community Bonds
Ramadan is often described as a month of reflection and generosity. Initiatives like this translate those values into tangible action.
The presence of volunteers at busy intersections serves as a reminder that compassion can thrive even in the middle of rush hour. Similarly, outreach missions to remote desert communities highlight the importance of inclusive social responsibility.
Through its sustained efforts, Aster Volunteers reinforces the idea that healthcare extends beyond hospital walls. It includes proactive outreach, preventive support, and humanitarian care.
A Commitment That Endures
As the holy month continues, thousands more Iftar kits will be distributed across Dubai, ensuring that motorists can break their fast safely and on time. Simultaneously, outreach teams will continue their journeys to remote regions, delivering essential supplies and health services to those in need.
Together, these initiatives embody a holistic approach to community wellbeing — one that combines compassion with action, and generosity with organization.
The 150,000 Iftar kits are more than meals. They are symbols of unity, dignity, and shared humanity. Through the “Joy of Giving” programme, Aster Volunteers demonstrates that meaningful impact is achieved not only by grand gestures but by consistent, thoughtful acts of service that touch lives every single day.
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