DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign — a global humanitarian initiative aiming to rescue five million children worldwide from hunger and acute malnutrition.
The campaign continues Sheikh Mohammed’s longstanding tradition of launching a major humanitarian initiative each Ramadan, reflecting the UAE’s deeply rooted values of generosity, solidarity, and global responsibility.
A Global Call to Save Lives
The “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign focuses on children in the world’s most vulnerable communities — particularly those affected by conflict, natural disasters, displacement, and economic crises. According to global health data, five children under the age of five die every minute due to hunger and malnutrition, making it one of the leading causes of child mortality.
“This year, we launch the Edge of Life campaign to rescue five million children around the world from hunger,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“There is no better way to welcome the holy month of Ramadan than by standing in solidarity with humanity, saving lives, and ensuring dignity for those in need.”
He reaffirmed that the UAE’s humanitarian leadership stems from its founding values and its commitment to being a global model of giving. “Tens of millions of children suffer from hunger. Our goal is to protect them — now and always,” he added.
Why “11.5”?
The campaign’s name refers to the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement of 11.5 cm, a globally recognised medical benchmark used to diagnose severe acute malnutrition in children between six months and five years old.
According to guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, a MUAC reading below 11.5 cm indicates life-threatening malnutrition requiring urgent intervention.
In emergency settings — including refugee camps and conflict zones — MUAC is a rapid, reliable tool that enables frontline workers to detect severe cases quickly without complex equipment. It represents a fine line between timely treatment and a child’s heightened risk of death.
By transforming this clinical indicator into a humanitarian symbol, the “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign seeks to raise global awareness that early detection and swift action can mean the difference between life and death.
International Partnerships
The campaign is being implemented in partnership with leading global humanitarian organisations, including:
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UNICEF
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Save the Children
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Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
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Action Against Hunger
It aims not only to rescue five million children but also to protect an additional 30 million children from falling into severe hunger through sustainable interventions and long-term programmes.
Hunger in a Fragile World
Global hunger continues to be driven by overlapping crises — armed conflict, economic instability, climate-related disasters, food inflation, and forced displacement.
In 2025 alone, 118 million children faced hunger, while 181 million children under five lacked access to the minimum nutrition required for healthy development. Malnutrition contributes to approximately 45 percent of deaths among children under five, claiming around 2.6 million lives annually.
The campaign serves as a critical humanitarian response at a time when international organisations face funding shortfalls and growing needs in fragile regions.
Building on a Legacy of Ramadan Giving
The “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign is the latest initiative under the umbrella of
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), established in 2015 to unify over three decades of humanitarian and development work sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed.
It builds on a series of landmark Ramadan campaigns:
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10 Million Meals (2020) – Delivered over 15.3 million meals.
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100 Million Meals (2021) – Distributed meals across 30 countries.
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1 Billion Meals (2022) – Reached its target in under a month, benefiting 50 countries.
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1 Billion Meals Endowment (2023) – Raised AED1.075 billion.
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Mothers’ Endowment (2024) – Raised over AED1.4 billion to support sustainable education.
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Fathers’ Endowment (2025) – Raised over AED3.7 billion to provide healthcare for vulnerable communities.
Since 2015, MBRGI has invested more than AED13.8 billion, benefiting 788 million people in 118 countries across five pillars: humanitarian aid, healthcare, education, innovation, and community empowerment.
Broader Humanitarian Leadership
Beyond Ramadan campaigns, Sheikh Mohammed has championed numerous transformative humanitarian and development initiatives, including:
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Dubai Cares — supporting education for children and youth in developing countries.
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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation — promoting knowledge-based development and literacy.
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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment — delivering relief aid globally.
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Noor Dubai Foundation — combating preventable blindness worldwide.
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The establishment of International Humanitarian City in Dubai, one of the world’s largest humanitarian logistics hubs serving global relief efforts.
Through these sustained efforts, Sheikh Mohammed has positioned the UAE as one of the world’s leading humanitarian contributors relative to its national income.
A Moral and Global Imperative
Inspired by the teachings of Islam and universal values of compassion and solidarity, the “11.5: Edge of Life” campaign underscores that hunger is not merely a humanitarian issue — it is a moral responsibility shared by the international community.
By turning a simple medical measurement into a global rallying call, the campaign reminds the world that saving a child’s life may depend on timely awareness, collective action, and unwavering commitment.
As Sheikh Mohammed affirmed:
“Every good act represents a source of power and blessing. The UAE continues to lead globally through this humanitarian power — inspired by our Emirati legacy.”