His Highness the Aga Khan Commits $100 Million to Global Nutrition Effort in Solidarity with the '11.5: Edge of Life' Campaign

His Highness the Aga Khan Commits $100 Million to Global Nutrition Effort in Solidarity with the '11.5: Edge of Life' Campaign

AKDN / Christopher Wilton-Steer

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7 March 2026 -His Highness the Aga Khan has committed $100 million over the next five years to combat malnutrition, joining global philanthropists, governments and development partners in solidarity with the '11.5: Edge of Life' campaign, organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), which aims to save over 35 million children from preventable hunger and malnutrition.

His Highness is honoured to join His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, alongside philanthropists, international organisations, and business leaders, in addressing one of the world's most urgent development challenges.

The commitment marks a significant expansion of the Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN) long-standing work to improve nutrition and food systems across Asia and Africa. In the first year of his Imamat, His Highness has more than doubled AKDN's financial commitment to nutrition, building on existing work in Africa and approving the expansion of the Central Asia Stunting Initiative in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Tajikistan. Together with these ongoing programmes, AKDN will devote approximately $100 million over the next five years to efforts aimed at preventing malnutrition and strengthening nutrition systems in vulnerable communities.

"Malnutrition remains one of the greatest barriers to human development, undermining the health, potential, and dignity of millions of children and families. Addressing this challenge requires sustained commitment and collective action across sectors and societies. I am honoured to join partners around the world in supporting efforts to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive and contribute to their communities," His Highness the Aga Khans said in a statement.

The pledge is made in solidarity with the '11.5: Edge of Life' campaign, an initiative led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) to rescue five million children under five from death due to hunger and malnutrition and prevent a further 30 million children from becoming malnourished.

The campaign aims to raise AED 1 billion (approximately US$272 million) and is delivered in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and Action Against Hunger. Edge of Life will focus on countries with the worst malnutrition indicators, where children are in imminent danger, including Afghanistan, Gaza, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen, among others.

The Edge of Life Fundraiser, held during the holy month of Ramadan, brings together leading philanthropists and business leaders to mobilise resources and accelerate action against child malnutrition. Major donors supporting the initiative will be honoured at a ceremony hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai on 11 March 2026.

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About the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of development organisations working to improve the quality of life and opportunities for people in some of the most vulnerable regions of the developing world. With programmes spanning health, nutrition, education, agriculture and food security, climate resilience, culture and economic development, AKDN operates in more than 30 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

For decades, AKDN has worked to improve nutrition through a holistic, community-centred approach addressing the drivers of malnutrition - from maternal and prenatal care to water, sanitation and hygiene, food systems, agriculture, education and healthy behaviours. By strengthening health systems and supporting community-led solutions, AKDN programmes help lay the foundations for healthier and more resilient societies across Asia and Africa.

Through its expanded commitment, AKDN hopes to catalyse further partnerships with governments, foundations, multilateral organisations and the private sector, recognising that collective action will be essential to ending preventable child malnutrition.

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