UAE's 'Edge of Life' Campaign Exceeds Target, Raises Over AED2.8 Billion
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the triumphant conclusion of the 'Edge of Life' campaign. The initiative surpassed its fundraising goal before the end of Ramadan, amassing a remarkable total of over AED2.822 billion. This humanitarian effort was dedicated to rescuing five million children from hunger and preventing malnutrition for millions more worldwide.
Massive Contributions from Diverse Sources
The campaign garnered support from an estimated 44,208 contributors, including individuals, businesses, and prominent humanitarian and philanthropic organizations. Launched on February 13, 2026, with an initial target of AED1 billion, the 'Edge of Life' campaign quickly gained momentum, reflecting widespread generosity and commitment to combating childhood hunger.
In a statement, Sheikh Mohammed expressed gratitude, saying, "As we near the end of the holy month of Ramadan, we conclude the Edge of Life campaign, which aimed to rescue five million children from hunger and prevent 30 million others from falling prey to life-threatening malnutrition. The campaign has raised more than AED2.8 billion thanks to the generosity of 44,000 contributors. Those included individuals, institutions, humanitarian organisations and major contributors."
Efficient Operations and Strategic Partnerships
Operated under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the campaign utilized seven accessible channels for donations: the campaign's website, a dedicated call center, bank transfers, SMS, the DubaiNow app, YallaGive.com, and Dubai's community contributions platform, Jood. This multi-faceted approach ensured broad participation and ease of contribution.
The campaign was organized in partnership with leading global organizations, including UNICEF, Save the Children, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Action Against Hunger. These collaborations were instrumental in its success, with partners and other organizations contributing a significant AED2.115 billion.
Notably, MBRGI, UNICEF, and CIFF announced a major new US$300 million partnership as part of the joint effort. UNICEF will leverage a $100 million contribution from MBRGI and CIFF, mobilizing an additional $200 million to scale life-saving nutrition programs globally.
UAE's Ongoing Commitment to Humanitarian Causes
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, highlighted that the campaign exemplifies the UAE's approach to fostering a culture of giving and its dedication to addressing humanitarian issues, particularly childhood hunger. This initiative builds on the success of previous Ramadan campaigns launched by the Dubai ruler, such as the '10 million meals' campaign in 2020, which provided over 15.3 million meals, and the '100 million meals' campaign in 2021, distributing 220 million meals across 30 countries.
Subsequent campaigns, including '1 billion meals' in 2022, '1 billion meals endowment' in 2023, 'Mother's endowment campaign' in 2024, and 'Father's endowment campaign' in 2025, have further solidified the UAE's role in global humanitarian efforts. The 'Edge of Life' campaign continues this legacy, demonstrating a sustained commitment to securing a better future for vulnerable children worldwide.
