How is MBRGI transforming lives worldwide through Dh2.3bn initiatives?
Year-on-year growth highlights expanding humanitarian footprint
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the 2025 results of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), revealing total spending of Dh2.3 billion across a wide range of humanitarian, developmental and social programmes.
The initiatives reached 165 million beneficiaries in 122 countries, reinforcing MBRGI’s position as the region’s largest humanitarian organisation of its kind.
The figures, unveiled during a Board of Trustees meeting in Dubai, mark a notable increase from 2024, when the initiatives reached 149 million people across 118 countries. The 2025 report reflects a continued expansion in both scale and scope, supported by long-term institutional frameworks and endowments exceeding Dh7 billion.
I chaired the Board of Trustees meeting of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), during which we reviewed the annual report. The organization’s total expenditure in 2025 reached AED 2.3 billion, benefiting more than 165 million people across 122… pic.twitter.com/RTKJLUXG52
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 25, 2026
Global impact
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting attended by senior leadership, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other key officials and trustees overseeing MBRGI’s diverse initiatives.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that the true measure of success lies in the tangible improvement of lives, highlighting that the organisation’s work extends beyond immediate aid to long-term transformation. He noted that humanitarian efforts now span 122 countries, supported by sustainable endowments and structured institutional frameworks designed to ensure lasting impact.
The organisation’s work in 2025 demonstrated a clear focus on sustainability and scalability. Beneficiary numbers rose by 16 million compared to the previous year, reflecting both expanded programmes and improved efficiency in resource allocation.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan described MBRGI’s approach as a shift from traditional aid delivery towards capacity-building and prevention, underpinned by innovative philanthropy and strategic partnerships. Nearly 186,000 volunteers and 990 staff members contributed to the execution of dozens of programmes, campaigns and initiatives throughout the year.
Among the standout developments was the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Endowment District, an integrated urban model combining residential, commercial, healthcare and educational services. The Fathers’ Endowment campaign also emerged as a major milestone, raising Dh3.72 billion, far exceeding its initial Dh1 billion target, with contributions from over 277,000 donors.
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian Aid and Relief remained a cornerstone of MBRGI’s activities, with spending exceeding Dh625 million in 2025 and benefiting more than 53 million people worldwide.
One of the flagship achievements was the completion of the 1 Billion Meals initiative, originally launched in Ramadan 2022. By July 2025, the programme had successfully distributed one billion meals across 65 countries, addressing food insecurity on a massive scale.
The organisation also launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian Ship initiative in November 2025, aimed at delivering over 10 million meals to Gaza residents in response to urgent humanitarian needs. The effort was carried out in cooperation with Operation Chivalrous Knight 3.
On the global stage, MBRGI pledged Dh36.7 million to support projects by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) during the World Economic Forum in Davos. This brought its total contributions to UNHCR projects to Dh172.7 million since 2021.
Dubai Humanitarian played a key logistical role, dispatching 789 metric tonnes of aid to regions including Palestine, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, benefiting approximately 2.8 million people.
Healthcare
Healthcare and Disease Control represented the largest share of MBRGI’s 2025 expenditure, with Dh872 million allocated to programmes benefiting over 396,000 people.
A major highlight was the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, launched during Ramadan to honour fathers in the UAE while funding healthcare services for vulnerable communities. The initiative significantly surpassed expectations, raising Dh3.72 billion to support medical care and strengthen healthcare systems in underserved regions.
The Al Jalila Foundation continued its contributions, celebrating 55 donors supporting the Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Hospital. It also expanded programmes such as ‘Wellness on Wheels’, which provides free healthcare services across Dubai, and the A’awen programme, which supported 3,605 patients, including 816 children, at a cost of Dh143 million.
Noor Dubai extended its reach to 25 countries, including Nepal, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, India, Uzbekistan and the Philippines, strengthening global healthcare access.
MBRGI also continued its partnership with the World Health Organization, supporting health responses in Gaza and the West Bank through a Dh37 million project expected to benefit 600,000 people.
Education
Education and knowledge development remained central to MBRGI’s mission, with Dh419 million spent under this pillar in 2025.
Dubai Cares continued to expand its global impact, reaching approximately 117 million beneficiaries through partnerships with 143 organisations. Since its inception in 2007, it has delivered 264 programmes, 48 initiatives and 40 research projects, with total grants reaching Dh1.27 million ($346 million).
The ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge drew more than 32 million students from 50 countries, involving 132,000 schools and 161,000 supervisors. Tunisian twins Bisan and Bilsan Kouka were crowned winners, highlighting the initiative’s role in fostering literacy and a culture of reading.
The Digital School further expanded access to education, reaching over 800,000 students in 39 countries. Its digital library now includes more than 35,000 lessons in seven languages, supporting equitable access to quality education globally.
Innovation
Innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives received Dh239 million in funding, benefiting around 1.4 million people.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development supported 4,658 Emirati entrepreneurs in 2025, bringing its total beneficiaries to 57,864 since 2002. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to promote economic diversification and knowledge-based development.
Other key initiatives included the third edition of the Great Arab Minds Award, which honoured six winners with Dh1 million each, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, which recognised 12 winners for innovative solutions addressing water security challenges.
The organisation also opened registration for the revamped Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award, aimed at encouraging excellence and competitiveness in the business sector.
Empowering communities
The Empowering Communities pillar saw spending of over Dh187 million, benefiting approximately 3.9 million people worldwide.
The fifth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative recognised three winners for impactful humanitarian projects, with each receiving Dh1 million to expand their efforts.
Meanwhile, the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government marked its 20th anniversary, continuing to develop leadership talent through academic and executive training programmes.
Across all pillars, MBRGI’s initiatives were supported by 185,670 volunteers in 2025, up from 171,892 the previous year. In addition, the organisation allocated over Dh30.3 million in awards to recognise excellence in humanitarian and development work.