A modern $300 million partnership aims to save 5 million children from starvation, officials announced Thursday, March 12, 2026. The collaboration between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), UNICEF, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) will support the “Edge of Life” campaign launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The initiative comes as global concerns rise over increasing rates of childhood malnutrition. The funds will be used to provide critical nutritional support to vulnerable communities worldwide, with a focus on children facing the most severe forms of hunger and malnutrition.
UNICEF will leverage a $100 million contribution from MBRGI and CIFF to mobilize an additional $200 million through its partners, bringing the total funding to $300 million. These resources will be used to implement and expand life-saving nutrition programs globally.
“UNICEF’s contribution plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals,” according to a statement released by the organizations. Through its “Children’s Nutrition Fund,” UNICEF will implement programs designed to address the challenges of child hunger and malnutrition in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The “Edge of Life” campaign seeks to provide at least 1 billion dirhams (approximately $272.25 million) in aid, focusing on children at risk of dying from hunger and malnutrition – a crisis that claims the lives of five children under the age of five every minute, according to campaign materials.
Promoting a Culture of Giving
Mohamed Abdullah Al Gargawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, emphasized that the “Edge of Life” campaign embodies Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision of fostering a culture of giving and the UAE’s commitment to combating child hunger and providing essential food needs to the less fortunate around the world.
“The contribution of UNICEF and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to the new Ramadan campaign, and their collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in implementing it, reflects the depth of the partnership between these institutions and their shared vision for strategies to combat child hunger,” Al Gargawi said. “This collaboration also highlights the urgent need to address the risks of acute malnutrition around the world.”
A Firm Commitment
Lana Al Wreikat, Director of UNICEF Gulf Area Office, stated, “The ‘Edge of Life’ campaign to save 5 million children from starvation, and the contribution of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to the campaign, represent an important humanitarian step at a time when the spread of child hunger and malnutrition is increasing globally to alarming levels.”
She added, “Through its proven and effective humanitarian nutrition programs, which prioritize children, UNICEF seeks to ensure that every contribution translates into a tangible impact for children. As a partner in implementing the campaign, we will leverage our long-standing practical experience, robust systems, and professional capabilities to provide treatment and preventive services to the most needy children.”
A Fruitful Partnership
Ana Hakobyan, Chief Impact Officer and Executive Director of Nutrition at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, said, “The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation is proud to play a role in deepening this fruitful partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and UNICEF’s Children’s Nutrition Fund to provide essential food for children.”
She continued, “This step represents a pivotal shift in the context of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation’s efforts to unify key funding sources to expand the implementation of therapeutic and preventive solutions for malnutrition in the most needy areas. Through these broad efforts, in addition to mobilizing additional resources, the goal is to reach more than 5 million children so they can survive and thrive.”
Ways to Contribute
The “Edge of Life” campaign is currently accepting contributions from organizations and individuals through seven main channels: the campaign’s dedicated website www.edgeoflife.ae, the campaign’s toll-free call center at 8004999, bank transfers to the campaign’s account (IBAN No: AE940340003708472909222) at Emirates Islamic Bank in UAE dirhams, SMS donations by sending “haya” or “LIFE” via du and e&. networks in the UAE to numbers 1034 (for 10 dirhams), 1035 (for 50 dirhams), 1036 (for 100 dirhams), and 1038 (for 500 dirhams), the “DubaiNow” app under the “Donations” category, YallaGive.com under the “Donations” category, and by creating a special wallet for organizations or individuals on the Dubai Community Contributions Platform “Jood” Jood.ae.
Mohamed Al Gargawi:
The campaign embodies Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision of promoting a culture of giving
Lana Al Wreikat:
We seek to ensure that every contribution translates into a tangible impact for children
Ana Hakobyan:
The partnership represents a pivotal shift in the context of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation’s efforts
