The UNICEF, in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, has announced a major US$300 million partnership aimed at saving millions of children from malnutrition worldwide. The initiative will begin with a joint US$100 million contribution from MBRGI and CIFF, which UNICEF will use to mobilize an additional US$200 million to expand life-saving nutrition programmes globally.
The collaboration is expected to help save around three million children from malnutrition, while also contributing to a broader alliance that aims to eventually reach five million children through the global Edge of Life campaign. Through its technical expertise and strong presence in vulnerable communities, UNICEF plans to scale up prevention, early detection, and treatment services for children most at risk.
The campaign was launched during Ramadan by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who called for global support to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to combat childhood hunger. The growing momentum around the initiative, including CIFF’s involvement and the participation of additional partners, highlights the need for stronger global cooperation as malnutrition levels continue to rise.
UNICEF will play a central role in implementing the programmes through its Child Nutrition Fund, which supports sustainable solutions to address hunger and poor nutrition in the world’s most vulnerable communities. These efforts align closely with the goals of the Edge of Life campaign, which focuses on tackling acute hunger and malnutrition among children. Global statistics show that five children under the age of five die every minute due to hunger and malnutrition, underlining the urgency of the initiative.
Mohammad Al Gergawi said the campaign reflects the vision of the UAE to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and reinforce international efforts to fight childhood hunger. He emphasized that the partnership between MBRGI, CIFF, and UNICEF demonstrates a shared commitment to investing in sustainable solutions that address the risks of acute malnutrition worldwide.
Officials from UNICEF also highlighted the long-standing collaboration among the organisations. Lana Al Wreikat noted that the campaign represents an important humanitarian milestone at a time when childhood hunger is reaching alarming levels globally. She added that UNICEF’s experience and child-focused nutrition programmes will help ensure that contributions are translated into measurable impact for children who need urgent support.
From CIFF, Anna Hakobyan described the partnership as a significant step in expanding efforts to scale malnutrition treatment and prevention in the areas most affected. She said the broader goal of the initiative is to mobilize additional resources and partnerships to reach more than five million children, helping them not only survive but also thrive.
