Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Feb 13: As Ramadan draws near, Dubai’s Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced a major humanitarian initiative placing child nutrition at the forefront of the UAE’s global outreach. The newly launched “Edge of Life” campaign aims to save five million children under the age of five from death caused by hunger and malnutrition.

In a message shared on social media, Sheikh Mohammed described Ramadan as a blessed and generous month that has become an annual occasion for the UAE to initiate humanitarian campaigns extending support from its people to vulnerable communities worldwide. He emphasised that the holy month is a time to reaffirm values of compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility.

Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Sheikh Mohammed pointed to alarming global statistics. More than 118 million children suffered from malnutrition last year, he noted, with an estimated 2.6 million dying as a result of hunger. He described these figures as a profound human tragedy, stressing that the UAE’s principles and values do not permit indifference in the face of such suffering.

The “Edge of Life” campaign will be carried out in collaboration with several international organisations. It seeks to mobilise at least AED 1 billion through contributions raised locally and globally. The funds will support targeted programmes focused on preventing hunger-related deaths among the most vulnerable children — those living in conditions where survival is uncertain.

Concluding his announcement, Sheikh Mohammed prayed for the continued safety and prosperity of the UAE and its people. He reaffirmed that feeding the hungry and supporting the underprivileged remain among the highest expressions of charity during Ramadan.

With child survival positioned at the heart of this year’s Ramadan drive, the campaign aspires to transform charitable giving into measurable, life-saving outcomes for millions of children around the world.