The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has launched a major new project called the Beginnings Fund. This initiative aims to deploy $500 million over the next five years to help mothers and newborns in Africa. The goal is to prevent more than 300,000 deaths and provide better healthcare for 34 million people. The fund will focus on simple but life-saving steps like better training for midwives and providing essential drugs and equipment.

The program will be carried out in 10 African countries, namely Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. These countries have been suffering from a high death rate of mothers and newborns, some of which are causes that can be eliminated. By working directly with local governments and hospitals, the fund will tackle common issues like infections and birth complications. The project’s headquarters will be located in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity (from the UAE) started the fund with a $125 million anchor donation. This large gift encouraged other partners to join, including the Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Delta Philanthropies. The total amount raised is expected to reach $500 million as more donors contribute to the cause.

Important leaders are supporting the initiative, including Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the fund's new CEO, Alice Kang’ethe. Health ministers from the partner countries, such as Dr. Mekdes Daba of Ethiopia, are also involved