Dubai: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), has announced a significant US$300 million partnership aimed at saving 3 million children from malnutrition. This initiative is part of a larger effort to eventually reach 5 million children through the Edge of Life Campaign.
According to Emirates News Agency, this collaboration includes an initial catalytic donation of US$100 million, which will enable UNICEF to leverage an additional US$200 million. This funding will be used to scale up life-saving nutrition programs globally, focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment services for the most vulnerable children. The campaign, launched during Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, seeks to raise substantial funds to combat childhood hunger worldwide.
UNICEF will play a crucial role in this partnership by utilizing its Child Nutrition Fund to implement sustainable programs targeting childhood hunger and malnutrition in vulnerable communities. The campaign aligns with the broader humanitarian initiative to reach and assist five million children facing acute hunger and malnutrition, addressing the alarming statistic that five children under the age of five die every minute due to these issues.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of MBRGI, highlighted the campaign's embodiment of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision for a philanthropic culture and the UAE's commitment to fighting childhood hunger. He emphasized the partnership between CIFF and UNICEF, reflecting a shared strategy to combat childhood hunger and the importance of investing in sustainable projects to address global malnutrition.
Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Director for the Gulf Area - GCC Countries, stated that the partnership with CIFF is a critical humanitarian milestone. It demonstrates the UAE's commitment to addressing global challenges and CIFF's dedication to advancing children's nutrition worldwide. She emphasized UNICEF's ability to translate contributions into measurable impacts through its proven child-centred programs.
Anna Hakobyan, Chief Impact Officer and Executive Director for Nutrition at CIFF, expressed pride in deepening collaboration with UNICEF and MBRGI. She noted that this partnership is a pivotal milestone in CIFF's efforts to unite with key partners to scale malnutrition treatment and prevention, ultimately aiming to reach over 5 million children.
The Edge of Life campaign continues to welcome donations from institutions and individuals through various channels, including its website, call center, bank transfers, SMS, and platforms like DubaiNow and YallaGive.com. These efforts are part of a concerted approach to rescue five million children from hunger.