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Veg’Morocco x MillionDollarVegan

BY SIMOHAMED BOUHAKKAOUI

Volunteers from Veg’Morocco, the first vegan association in the country, distributed free vegan meals from March 24 to April 4 to raise awareness of the benefits of a vegan diet for our health and the future of our planet.

This work was funded by MillionDollarVegan, a nongovernment organization whose mission is to provide a million plant-based meals by 2022 to individuals around the world who have been negatively affected by COVID-19 and, consequently, «take pandemics off the menu». MillionDollarVegan has to this day delivered more than 410 000 meals, as the organization’s aim is “to empower people to help prevent future pandemics, improve their health, reduce animal suffering, and safeguard our planet for the generations to come. Building a safe and sustainable future for our children, begins with what we choose to put on our plates.”

Photo credit: Khalil ISMAILI ALAOUI

In fact, studies have shown that 3 out of 4 pandemics in the last 100 years have been caused by the industries that exploit animals for their meat, milk, and eggs; these outbreaks killed more than 100 million people. MillionDollarVegan invites us, therefore, to join the ‘Take Pandemics off the Menu’ movement by trying to go vegan.

During the volunteers’ two weeks of work, more than 500 meals were distributed in Casablanca in collaboration with the ‘JOT Cafe/Damanjot Yoga Center’, namely to the Oasis and Baoufi centers of Lalla Hasnaa children’s home, managed by the Al Ihssane association; to the Ain Chok reception center, run by the Bayti association; and to the health care workers of the health center at La Gare, La Vilette end Loubila CFCA. In Rabat, thanks to ‘Baba Ghannouge Restaurant’, meals were given to the homeless, immigrants, and others in precarious situations in collaboration with ISMA-Ivoire Solidarité Maroc; to the Casa Lahnina association, which takes care of children with disabilities; and to the Dar al Atfal Al Ouafae and Dar Atifl Al Moustakbal associations. Lastly, food was distributed at the multifunctional BATHA center for the empowerment of women victims of domestic violence in the city of Fez with the help of ‘Le Tarbouche’ Restaurant. Veg’Morocco volonteers also took the opportunity to share leaflets made with MillionDollar Vegan to present more infomation about veganism, such as definitions, plant-based meal ideas, and nutritional facts, and, most importantly, to give an idea about the tight link between the expansion of the use of livestock and the emergence of global pandemics, environmental destruction, and antibiotic resistance.

Photo credit: Khalil ISMAILI

In fact, studies have shown that 3 out of 4 pandemics in the last 100 years have been caused by the industries that exploit animals for their meat, milk, and eggs; these outbreaks killed more than 100 million people. MillionDollarVegan invites us, therefore, to join the ‘Take Pandemics off the Menu’ movement by trying to go vegan.

For his part, Mohammed Bouhakkaoui, president of Veg’Morocco, noted: “Every vegan meal can be impactful. The change starts with simple things. This campaign is very positive since it’s based on peace and charity! It is a gesture that preaches respect and love among all living beings.”

Photo credit: Khalil ISMAILI

Veg’Morocco is also known for organizing the first Vegfest in Africa in 2018, and VegFest online in 2020, when the association was chosen as winner by the VegfestUKawards2020 for the Best Global Initiative. Veg’Morocco, during its few years of activity, has organized many events and activities that, for the first time, have connected Moroccan vegans and those with a keen desire for a sustainable, peaceful future.

Photo credit: Khalil ISMAILI

For more information:

Veg'Morocco - https://www.facebook.com/assovegmorocco

MillionDollarVegan - https://www.milliondollarvegan.com

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