Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the “11.5 Edge of Life” campaign to rescue 5 million children from hunger.
The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai announced the initiative, which continues his tradition of launching a humanitarian campaign each Ramadan.
“There is no better way to welcome the holy month of Ramadan than by standing in solidarity with humanity, saving lives and ensuring that those in need can live with dignity. This year, we launch the Edge of Life campaign to rescue five million children around the world from hunger. Every good act represents a source of power and blessing at once. The UAE continues to lead globally through this humanitarian power, inspired by our long-standing Emirati legacy,” he said in a statement.
Dubai Ruler announces 11.5 Edge of Life campaign for Ramadan 2025
The campaign targets children at risk of hunger in communities affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Statistics show that 5 children under the age of 5 die of hunger and malnutrition every minute.
The initiative operates in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and Action Against Hunger.
“Millions of children suffer from life-threatening malnutrition. Our goal is to rescue 5 million children and protect another 30 million children from the threat of hunger,” Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives explained.
The campaign will implement programmes and projects to fight child hunger and malnutrition through international organisations.
The number 11.5 refers to the mid-upper arm circumference measurement in centimetres for children between 6 months and 5 years. The World Health Organisation uses this measurement to diagnose malnutrition.
A MUAC measurement under 11.5 cm indicates one of the criteria for severe malnutrition requiring intervention. The measurement represents the threshold between a recoverable situation and one where a child faces a risk of death.
Dubai Ruler launches campaign as 118 million children face hunger crisis
In 2025, 118 million children faced hunger in one of the largest hunger waves affecting children in recent years. Statistics show that 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 suffer malnutrition, affecting 181 million children who lack access to minimum nutrition for growth.
Forty-five per cent of deaths in children under the age of 5, around 2.6 million lives lost, are tied to malnutrition, making it a cause of child mortality.
“Tens of millions of children around the world suffer from hunger. Our goal is to protect them, now and always,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The campaign is the latest in a series of Ramadan initiatives launched under Sheikh Mohammed’s directives through MBRGI.
In 2020, the ’10 Million Meals’ campaign collected over 15.3 million meals. In 2021, the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign distributed 220 meals in 30 countries across 4 continents.
The ‘1 Billion Meals’ campaign in 2022 reached its target in under a month and provided food aid in 50 countries, with support from 320,868 contributors.
The ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign in 2023 raised AED1.075 billion. The Mothers’ Endowment campaign in 2024 raised over AED1.4 billion to support education.
Last year’s Fathers’ Endowment campaign raised over AED3.7 billion before the end of Ramadan to provide healthcare.
MBRGI was launched in 2015 and consolidates over 30 initiatives and institutions that carry out programmes under five pillars: Humanitarian Aid & Relief, Healthcare & Disease Control, Spreading Education & Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Communities.
Since 2015, MBRGI spent over AED13.8 billion in humanitarian aid and relief efforts, benefiting 788 million people in 118 countries.
In 2024, MBRGI’s spending across the five pillars amounted to over AED2.2 billion, benefiting around 149 million people in 118 countries.
Al Gergawi said the campaign comes at a point when international organisations face funding shortfalls, particularly in countries dealing with conflict, forced displacement and the aftermath of climate change.
