His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the 11.5 Edge of Life campaign, a global humanitarian initiative aimed at rescuing five million children from hunger and protecting millions more from life-threatening malnutrition, reinforcing the UAE’s longstanding commitment to saving lives and advancing human dignity.
Unveiled at the start of Ramadan, the campaign continues Sheikh Mohammed’s annual tradition of introducing a major humanitarian drive during the holy month, reflecting the nation’s deeply rooted values of generosity, compassion, and solidarity with vulnerable communities worldwide.
The initiative focuses on children living in the most fragile environments, particularly areas affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. Global figures show that five children under the age of five die every minute due to hunger and malnutrition, underscoring the urgency of large-scale intervention.
Sheikh Mohammed said the campaign represents a powerful expression of humanitarian responsibility and collective action. He stressed that standing with humanity and ensuring people in need can live with dignity is the most meaningful way to welcome Ramadan, adding that tens of millions of children worldwide remain at risk from hunger.
The campaign is led by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and is being implemented in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Action Against Hunger.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, said the campaign sends a strong message of solidarity from the UAE to the world and calls for unified international efforts to protect children from the threat of hunger. He noted that the initiative aims not only to rescue five million children but also to shield another 30 million from malnutrition through sustainable programmes and early intervention.
The name “11.5” refers to a critical mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement used to detect acute malnutrition in children between six months and five years old. According to World Health Organization guidelines, a MUAC reading below 11.5 centimetres signals severe acute malnutrition and the need for immediate medical care.
This simple measurement is widely used in emergency settings such as refugee camps and disaster zones, offering a rapid and reliable indicator of a child’s nutritional condition when standard assessments are not feasible. The campaign transforms this clinical threshold into a global call to action, highlighting the fine line between timely intervention and life-threatening delay.
Malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 45 percent of deaths among children under five. In 2025 alone, an estimated 118 million children experienced hunger, while one in four children under five suffered from acute malnutrition.
The 11.5 Edge of Life campaign builds on a series of successful Ramadan initiatives launched under Sheikh Mohammed’s directives, including the 10 Million Meals, 100 Million Meals, 1 Billion Meals, and multiple endowment campaigns that collectively mobilised billions of dirhams and reached tens of millions of beneficiaries across the globe.
Since its establishment in 2015, MBRGI has invested more than AED13.8 billion in humanitarian and development efforts, benefiting hundreds of millions of people in over 100 countries.
With the launch of the 11.5 Edge of Life campaign, the UAE reaffirms its role as a global leader in humanitarian action, translating compassion into concrete solutions and placing the protection of children’s lives at the heart of its international mission.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
