New York-The World Food Program, one of the United Nations agencies, launched on Thursday the Arabic Version of an app to feed Syrian refugee children during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Smartphone users in the Arab world can help provide food to Syrian refugees in Lebanon by just a click on the ShareTheMeal app.

WFP said in a statement that the launch of the app on May 26 coincides with the arrival of the Holy month of Ramadan observed by Muslims around the world to help feed Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.

With ShareTheMeal, users can do good whenever they want and wherever they are. With a donation as small as 50 cents, WFP can provide a child with nutritious food for a whole day.

“Every cultural and religious tradition in the world teaches us to care for the less privileged and to share what we have,” said WFP Lebanon Country Director and Representative, Dominik Heinrich. “The launch of the app in Arabic provides people in the Arabic speaking world with an easy way to do good deeds and share meals during the holy month of Ramadan, the month of generosity and giving.”

Since the launch of the English version of the app last year, more than 500,000 users worldwide have provided the equivalent of more than 5.6 million daily food rations to the poorest and hungriest around the world.

The app has received several awards for its design and innovative character, including by Google who named it as one of the Best Apps of 2015.

Syrian refugee families in Lebanon receive food assistance through electronic vouchers or “e-cards.”

Money raised through ShareTheMeal’s current fundraising goal will cover the rations for a full year for 1,400 Syrian children aged 3-4 years living in Beirut. The children’s parents will receive funds transferred to their regular WFP e-cards, allowing them to buy the foods they want in local shops, which also supports host communities and the economy.

The Arabic version of the app comes as ShareTheMeal plans to further increase and diversify access to the app by entering on a new market. It also reinforces its mission to accelerate efforts to reach a zero-hunger future by engaging as many smartphone users as possible.

With the launch in Arabic speaking countries, an estimation of 117 million smartphone users will be able to download ShareTheMeal from app stores and donate to feed hungry children.
“More people in the Arab world are using smartphones, with estimates that there will be more than 300 million users by 2020,” said Sebastian Stricker, Head of ShareTheMeal.

“We made sure that the ShareTheMeal app is ready before the Holy month of Ramadan, a time when people are looking for ways to help those in need such as Syrian refugee children,” he added.