UAE launches sweeping Ramadan humanitarian drive spanning Gaza, Africa and beyond, mobilising government, charities and businesses to combat hunger and deliver urgent global relief
The United Arab Emirates has intensified its global humanitarian outreach during Ramadan, rolling out a wide-ranging series of initiatives aimed at tackling hunger, supporting vulnerable communities and delivering urgent relief across multiple continents.
Framed around the values of compassion, tolerance and generosity that define the Holy Month, the campaigns reinforce the UAE’s long-standing position as one of the world’s leading humanitarian donors. From large-scale food security drives to targeted medical and child welfare programmes, this year’s Ramadan efforts span the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
At the forefront is the ‘11.5: Edge of Life’ Ramadan campaign launched by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Continuing his annual tradition of unveiling a major charitable drive at the start of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohammed has set an ambitious goal of helping rescue five million children worldwide from hunger and severe malnutrition.
The campaign focuses on communities facing the harshest food insecurity, particularly in disaster-hit regions, conflict zones and crisis-affected countries. According to global humanitarian data, five children under the age of five die every minute due to hunger and malnutrition — a statistic the initiative aims to confront directly through coordinated aid, funding and partnerships.
Corporate participation has also gathered pace. Landmark Group recently pledged AED5 million to the Edge of Life campaign, joining a growing list of contributors from across the private sector. The move reflects the UAE’s model of combining government leadership with business and philanthropic engagement to amplify impact.
Parallel to this, the Emirates Red Crescent has expanded its Ramadan operations significantly. This year, more than 1.5 million beneficiaries across the UAE and 44 countries are set to receive assistance through food parcels, iftar meals and essential supplies, at a total estimated cost exceeding AED60 million. The organisation’s programmes are designed to ease hardship in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, reinforcing the UAE’s international humanitarian footprint.
The Gaza Strip remains central to the country’s relief efforts. In February, the UAE dispatched the aid ship “Umm Al Emarat” carrying over 7,300 tonnes of food, shelter materials and medical supplies to support urgent humanitarian needs and strengthen food security for affected families. The shipment forms part of sustained relief operations aimed at addressing the severe conditions in the territory.
In addition, Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, directed the launch of a humanitarian air bridge to Gaza during Ramadan under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3. The air bridge is transporting food parcels, medical supplies and essential items for women and children, alongside other urgent necessities. Through this operation, the UAE continues to dispatch aid convoys and aircraft in a coordinated effort to alleviate suffering and stabilise living conditions.
Beyond emergency relief, long-term care and rehabilitation initiatives are also under way. The Big Heart Foundation has launched the second edition of its For Gaza Ramadan campaign, focusing on orphaned children. The initiative provides comprehensive support, including custom prosthetic limbs, physical rehabilitation, and psychological and social care — ensuring that assistance extends beyond immediate survival to sustained recovery.
In Africa, UAE-backed charities are likewise stepping up efforts. The International Charity Organisation sent a delegation to Mauritania to oversee the implementation of 90 charitable projects benefiting poor villages and vulnerable families. The projects span food distribution, infrastructure support and essential community services.
Meanwhile, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has unveiled its Ramadan campaign under the slogan Feed a Child, Build a Kitchen. The programme will launch a sustainable, planet-friendly school meals initiative in Kenya before expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to ensure children are not forced to study on empty stomachs, addressing a pressing challenge in a region where more than 90 per cent of children lack access to balanced diets and around 60 per cent of children in Kenya face malnutrition.
