JEDDAH: The Makkah governorate announced Thursday that it plans to hand out 5 million free meals and bottles of water this Ramadan in Makkah and parts of Jeddah. This was announced by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who attended the signing of the pact with the Education Ministry. There would also be 250 boy scouts and 20 male teachers helping with the distribution. The agreement was signed between Hisham Al-Falih, adviser to the governor and president of the water and food commission, and Mohammed Mahdi Al-Harthy, director general of education in Makkah Province.

Al-Falih said the meals would be distributed at the Grand Mosque, roundabouts, checkpoints, hospitals and King Abdulaziz International Airport and Jeddah Islamic Port for pilgrims to break their fast.

Al-Falih said there were 6 million meals distributed last year during Ramadan and Haj only at the Grand Mosque. There were 17 million bottles of water distributed and more than 3,000 ihrams handed out to pilgrims. He said there distribution would take place with various charities.