UAE increases funding to fight global hunger
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
The United Arab Emirates increased its efforts to combat hunger and improve food security both regionally and worldwide through financial aid, partnerships, and agricultural development.
In February 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the ‘Edge of Life’ campaign, which collected over AED2.822 billion from 44,208 donors to help save children from hunger. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives partnered with UNICEF and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, committing a combined US$300 million to expand nutrition programs.
The UAE also provided direct aid to countries facing crises. It granted US$20 million to the World Food Programme to assist people in Sudan and sent 30 tonnes of food aid to Kenya, which was experiencing drought. Additionally, the country allocated US$8 million to Chad to address the effects of El Niño and delivered aid to Gaza through Operation Chivalrous Knight 3.
DP World collaborated with the World Food Programme to transport 5,000 metric tonnes of rice to Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Beyond immediate aid, the UAE worked to strengthen long-term food systems. The country was elected to the WFP Executive Board for the 2026-2028 term, giving it a role in guiding international efforts. It hosted events like the High-Level Ministerial Majlis and will host the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Domestically, the UAE launched a program to strengthen supply chains and invested in Food Tech Valley, attracting US$50 billion to support sustainable food technologies.
