Mawlana Hazar Imam has pledged $100 million over the next five years to combat malnutrition, joining global philanthropists, governments, and development partners in solidarity with the ‘11.5: Edge of Life’ campaign. This initiative, organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), seeks to save over 35 million children from preventable hunger and malnutrition. The commitment marks an expansion of the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) efforts to improve nutrition and food systems, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Hazar Imam expressed his honor in joining His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other international leaders in addressing one of the world’s most urgent development challenges. The pledge also reflects AKDN’s broader approach to tackling malnutrition, with over $100 million allocated to efforts aimed at strengthening nutrition systems and preventing malnutrition in vulnerable communities. This includes expanding initiatives like the Central Asia Stunting Initiative across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Tajikistan.
In his statement, Hazar Imam emphasized that malnutrition remains a significant barrier to human development and requires collective action across sectors. The pledge aligns with the goals of the ‘11.5: Edge of Life’ campaign, which aims to rescue five million children under five from death due to hunger and prevent another 30 million from malnutrition. The campaign is focused on countries with the worst malnutrition indicators, such as Afghanistan, Gaza, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen, and is delivered in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Action Against Hunger.
The ‘11.5: Edge of Life’ campaign uses Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a simple yet effective diagnostic tool to detect acute malnutrition in children. This measurement is especially valuable in crisis situations like refugee camps and conflict zones, where early detection and intervention are critical. The campaign aims to raise AED 1 billion (about US$272 million) and will culminate in a fundraiser during Ramadan, with major donors honored at a ceremony hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in March 2026.
