Most Noble Number auction in Dubai raises Dh91.4 million for hunger relief campaign
Special plates and mobile numbers draw massive bids at charity event
DUBAI – Dubai’s philanthropic community delivered another powerful show of support during Ramadan as the Most Noble Number charity auction raised Dh91.405 million, while international pledges and individual donations pushed total contributions for the Edge of Life campaign beyond Dh1.049 billion.
The funds will support the campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at rescuing five million children worldwide from hunger. The initiative seeks to mobilise at least Dh1 billion to provide nutrition and essential support to children facing acute food shortages in vulnerable communities.
The charity auction took place during a high-profile Suhoor gathering organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) at the Armani Dubai Hotel in Burj Khalifa. The event brought together business leaders, philanthropists and representatives of global humanitarian organisations, held in collaboration with His Excellency Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Philanthropy.
Global pledges
Alongside the auction proceeds, international humanitarian and philanthropic organisations pledged $276.36 million (Dh1.014 billion), while individual donors contributed Dh35.816 million during the gathering.
Among the largest commitments was a $100 million pledge from the Aga Khan Foundation. The Gates Foundation and EdelGive Foundation each pledged $50 million, while the Piramal Foundation also committed $50 million to the initiative.
Additional contributions included $20 million from Tata Trusts, $5 million from the Aliko Dangote Foundation and $1.36 million from Dalio Philanthropies. Together, the pledges reflect strong global engagement with the campaign’s mission to address childhood hunger and malnutrition.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of MBRGI, said the campaign had inspired widespread support across sectors and borders.
He noted that the generous response from institutions, philanthropists and community members highlights the campaign’s importance as a global humanitarian initiative designed to combat childhood hunger in underserved regions.
Al Gergawi added that the auction also reflected the UAE community’s deep-rooted culture of compassion and solidarity, emphasising a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and preserving human dignity.
Major donors
Individual philanthropists attending the Suhoor event also announced significant contributions to the campaign.
Badr Jafar pledged Dh10 million, while several prominent business figures each contributed Dh5 million. These included Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group; Mahdi Amjad, Chairman of OMNIYAT Group; Hussain Dawood, Chairperson of Engro Corporation; Michael Lahyani, Founder of Property Finder; and Abdallah Al Sheikh.
Additional contributions from other attendees totalled Dh816,000, adding to the overall funds raised for the initiative.
Organised by MBRGI in collaboration with Emirates Auction, the Most Noble Number charity auction featured 29 rare plate and mobile numbers. The event was supported by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, e& UAE and du.
Auction bids
Nine special vehicle plate numbers issued by the Roads and Transport Authority generated the majority of the auction’s proceeds, raising Dh81.5 million.
The highest bid of the evening reached Dh37 million for the coveted plate number DD 6. Other notable winning bids included Dh9 million for DD 16, Dh8.9 million for DD 99 and Dh6.4 million for DD 25.
Plate numbers DD 30 fetched Dh6.1 million, while both DD 100 and DD 999 were sold for Dh5.1 million each. Additional bids included Dh2 million for DD 7000 and Dh1.9 million for DD 22222.
تشارك #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في النسخة السادسة من مزاد #أنبل_رقم الخيري، الذي يُقام اليوم السبت 7 مارس الساعة 9:30 مساءً في فندق أرماني دبي – برج خليفة، ويضم مجموعة مميزة من أرقام لوحات المركبات الفاخرة.
— RTA (@rta_dubai) March 7, 2026
وتُخصَّص جميع عائدات المزاد لدعم حملة رمضان “11.5: حدّ الحياة”، التي… pic.twitter.com/hyKRWEkQ74
Premium mobile numbers also attracted strong bidding. Ten special numbers from e& raised Dh1.905 million in total, with the number 0500000012 selling for Dh500,000, followed by several others ranging between Dh260,000 and Dh45,000.
Meanwhile, ten premium du numbers generated Dh8 million. The standout number 0580000000 alone secured Dh4.5 million, while other numbers sold for amounts between Dh250,000 and Dh700,000.
The proceeds from the auction, together with international pledges and individual contributions, will be directed to the Edge of Life campaign, which is being implemented in partnership with UNICEF, Save the Children, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Action Against Hunger.
The initiative aims to provide life-saving nutritional support and protection for children facing hunger, particularly in regions affected by poverty, food insecurity and humanitarian crises.
Donation channels
The campaign continues to accept contributions from individuals and institutions through multiple channels. Donations can be made via the campaign website, edgeoflife.ae, or through a dedicated toll-free call centre at 800 4999.
Bank transfers in UAE dirhams can also be made to the campaign’s account at Emirates Islamic Bank.
Supporters can contribute via SMS by sending the word “LIFE” to designated numbers on du and e& networks, with options to donate Dh10, Dh50, Dh100 or Dh500.
Additional donation platforms include the DubaiNow application, YallaGive.com under the donations section, and the community contributions platform Jood.