MBRGI And UNICEF Measles Vaccination Initiative Aims To Reach One Million Children

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives is supporting a UNICEF measles vaccination programme that targets one million children in marginalised and conflict-affected areas. The initiative, revealed during the World Economic Forum in Davos, focuses on protecting unvaccinated children and reinforcing basic healthcare in vulnerable communities worldwide.

The joint programme is designed to reach children who have not received routine immunisations. It aims to deliver measles vaccines and related services in fragile settings. The plan links disease prevention with broader child survival goals, helping improve long-term health outcomes in communities facing weak or disrupted health systems.

Since 2015, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives has directed over AED13.8 billion to humanitarian and relief work. These projects have supported 788 million people in 118 countries. In 2024 alone, MBRGI spent more than AED2.2 billion, reaching about 149 million people in the same number of countries.

MBRGI brings together more than 30 initiatives and institutions under one umbrella. The foundation works through five main pillars: Humanitarian Aid & Relief, Healthcare & Disease Control, Spreading Education & Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Communities. Its mandate is to address major global challenges and invest in human capital in vulnerable areas.

The scale of MBRGI’s humanitarian activity and reach can be summarised as follows:

The measles initiative was confirmed through a Letter of Intent signed during the World Economic Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland, from 19th to 23rd January under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’. Saeed Al Eter and UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell formalised the cooperation at the event.

Saeed Al Eter explained that strengthening global partnerships is central to the foundation’s agenda. MBRGI’s approach reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. That vision prioritises humanitarian support in communities that struggle to secure essential services, especially healthcare.

Al Eter said, "Our latest collaboration with UNICEF reflects MBRGI’s unwavering commitment to global efforts that protect and empower children by ensuring access to modern medical treatments and disease prevention. We envision this renewed partnership as a turning point in our collective mission to uplift the underprivileged, rescuing children across multiple nations from the cycle of disease and despair, and safeguarding their future."

"UNICEF is grateful for the long-standing partnership with MBRGI, which has saved and improved the lives of some of the most vulnerable children," said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director. "We look forward to continuing our partnership through this additional effort to reach one million children impacted by conflict with life-saving measles vaccinations. No child should die from an easily preventable disease."

The collaboration aims to establish coordinated measles vaccination campaigns, while also strengthening routine immunisation systems. It focuses on children who missed earlier vaccinations, especially in conflict zones and hard-to-reach locations. The partners intend to use comprehensive and innovation-driven plans that support sustainable, long-term vaccination infrastructure.

Through this measles vaccination effort, MBRGI and UNICEF are aligning humanitarian funding, technical capacity and on-the-ground access. The partnership supports international health objectives and gives vulnerable children a greater chance of survival and healthy development, including in regions close to the Middle East that continue to face instability.

With inputs from WAM