
MBRGI Completes Major Anti-Malnutrition Projects Across Africa Through 1 Billion Meals Campaign
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in partnership with the UN's UNITLIFE Trust Fund, has successfully concluded a series of impactful nutrition-focused projects in Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Senegal, targeting malnutrition and strengthening long-term food resilience.
Funded by AED 5.5 million from MBRGI's 1 Billion Meals campaign, the initiatives supported sustainable food strategies designed to empower local communities. These projects focused on climate-smart agriculture, women's economic engagement, and community-driven nutrition efforts.
In Niger, a 12-month project with Goal Global promoted bio-fortified, climate-resilient farming, reaching over 168,000 people and enabling access to more than 1.4 million nutritious meals annually.
The DRC initiative, implemented over 17 months in collaboration with UN Women, established a biofortified cassava food chain, benefiting over 128,000 individuals and supporting approximately 1.1 million meals each year.
In Senegal, a two-year project with Action Against Hunger focused on integrated food resilience, reaching 33,000 people and enabling access to an estimated 3.9 million nutritious meals annually.
Prof. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Chairman of UNITLIFE's Steering Committee, praised the strategic partnership for offering long-term solutions to food insecurity. 'MBRGI's support has been vital in helping vulnerable communities build resilience and address their nutritional needs sustainably,'
he said.
Launched in 2022 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 1 Billion Meals campaign aims to provide food aid globally. The initiative forms part of MBRGI's broader humanitarian efforts, which reached nearly 149 million beneficiaries in 118 countries in 2024.
UNITLIFE continues to scale innovative, women-led approaches to tackle chronic malnutrition through sustainable development.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Web Release
2 days ago
- Web Release
Dr. Thumbay Moideen Honored with 5th Honorary Doctorate by University of Lublin, Poland
In a moment of immense pride and global recognition, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder and President of Thumbay Group, has been conferred his Fifth Honorary Doctorate, this time by the prestigious University of Lublin, Poland. This accolade reaffirms his unmatched contributions to global healthcare, medical education, and Research for the community development. The honorary doctorate was awarded in recognition of Dr. Moideen's extraordinary leadership in establishing the First Private Academic Health Sytem and the region's largest private medical university — and for transforming Thumbay Group into a global model of purpose-driven entrepreneurship in healthcare, education & Research. Under his visionary leadership, Thumbay Group has impacted millions across more than 175 nationalities, offering compassionate care, research excellence, and world-class medical training. The University of Lublin acknowledged Dr. Moideen's pioneering efforts in integrating innovation with empathy, notably through the Thumbay International Research Grant (TIRG) — an initiative investing AED 3 million annually in areas like cancer immunology, AI in healthcare,precision medicine and many more Area's of Research. From a young entrepreneur in Karnataka to being celebrated as the most respected Indian Muslim and leading Beary in the world, Dr. Thumbay Moideen's journey is a testament to what's possible when faith meets action. Recognized as the leading NRI from Karnataka in the Gulf region, he is admired not just for his accomplishments, but for the values that drive them. Once someone who measured success through projects and milestones, he has evolved into a changemaker who defines impact by how many lives his work touches. With this latest recognition, Dr. Moideen joins an elite group of globally honored visionaries who have reshaped industries while staying rooted in service, humility, and impact. This doctorate reflects not only his entrepreneurial brilliance but also his enduring belief that health and education are fundamental rights, not privileges. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Moideen said: 'If our work has empowered others to dream, to heal, to grow, then I consider it a success. It's no longer about how far I've gone, but how many I've taken along. I want Thumbay Group to be remembered as a force that empowered the underprivileged, raised the standards of education,healthcare & Research.' The vision of Thumbay Group is to deliver Excellence by building a seamless ecosystem of education, healthcare, and innovation. From its flagship Gulf Medical University to hospitals, labs, rehabilitation centers, and AI-driven research programs, the Group continues its mission of shaping the future of healthcare —the Group plans to Double its Healthcare capacity and expand its all business to grow 5 fold and have a global presence.

Web Release
3 days ago
- Web Release
(Clock Wise) Manav Bhadu, Rakesh Diyora, Jaiprakash Choudhary, and Aaryan Rajput
UAE Doctor Pledges AED 2.5 Million to Support Families of Medical Students and Doctors Killed in Air India Crash


Web Release
3 days ago
- Web Release
UAE Doctor Pledges AED 2.5 Million to Support Families of Medical Students and Doctors Killed in Air India Crash
UAE-based doctor and philanthropist Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil has announced AED 2.5 Million (?6 crore) in financial aid for the families of medical students and doctors affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad—an act of solidarity shaped by his own years spent in medical hostels and the deep personal resonance of the tragedy. The devastation unfolded on 12 June, when a Boeing 787 aircraft crashed into the hostel and mess blocks of BJ Medical College, killing four medical students, injuring dozens, and claiming the lives of family members of doctors residing on campus. The aircraft struck the Atulyam hostel complex during lunch hour, reducing student residences and the dining hall to rubble. Survivors described scenes of chaos, with books, belongings, and plates scattered amid the destruction. Among those killed were MBBS students Jaiprakash Choudhary from Barmer, Rajasthan; Manav Bhadu from Shree Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Aaryan Rajput from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh; and Rakesh Diyora from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. All were in the early years of their medical journey, full of promise and purpose. As many as five family members of doctors were also killed in the tragedy. Announcing the relief from Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shamsheer, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings and Managing Director of VPS Health, said he was deeply shaken when he saw the aftermath of the crash. As someone who had once lived in similar hostels during his own medical education at Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore and Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai, the images struck a chord. 'I saw the footage from the mess and the hostel, and it truly shook me. It reminded me of the places I once called home, the corridors, the beds, the laughter, the pressure of exams, and the anticipation of a call from family. No one expects a commercial aircraft to come crashing into that world,' he said. 'Those students started the day thinking about lectures, assignments, and patients. Their lives ended in a way none of us could ever imagine. It hit close. Too close.' Dr. Shamsheer's relief package includes ?1 crore for each of the four deceased students' families, ?20 lakh each for five seriously injured students, and ?20 lakh each for the families of doctors who lost loved ones. The financial assistance will be delivered in coordination with the Junior Doctors' Association at BJ Medical College, ensuring that those in need receive support swiftly. This is not the first time Dr. Shamsheer has responded to such a crisis. In 2010, following the Mangalore air crash, he provided financial assistance and employment opportunities to affected families at Burjeel Holdings, a leading healthcare provider in the Middle East. His humanitarian interventions have extended to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and displacement crises across India and the Gulf. But this, he said, felt personal in an entirely different way. 'These young men were part of the same fraternity I once belonged to. I know what it's like to stay up preparing for clinical exams, to crowd around a table in the mess hall, to walk into a hostel room after a tiring shift. That life builds not just doctors, but character. And to have that life stolen, so violently, so suddenly, is heartbreaking,' he said. Among the injured is third-year student Ritesh Kumar Sharma, who was trapped under debris for hours with severe leg injuries. Several of his friends were injured alongside him. Others watched helplessly as classmates were engulfed in the impact. Dr. Shamsheer emphasized that this support is not just financial, it is symbolic. It is a reminder that the medical community stands together, across generations and geographies. 'What happened cannot be undone. These students were preparing to serve others. Their memories must not fade into headlines. We must carry forward the dreams they didn't get to fulfill. It is shared responsibility,' he said. As BJ Medical College reels from the loss, displaced students and families are being temporarily relocated. Many have lost more than shelter, they have lost colleagues, belongings, and a sense of safety. The Junior Doctors' Association, which has been closely involved in supporting the affected students and families, is coordinating with authorities to facilitate assistance. Dr. Shamsheer's team will work alongside them to ensure the aid reaches those most in need in the coming days.