Dubai: In an effort to find sustainable solutions to water shortage and improve access to safe water in the world’s poorest communities, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Law No 3 of 2015 establishing the UAE Water Aid Foundation.
The non-profit organisation, which will be annexed to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), aims to bolster UAE’s contribution as a key player in international sustainable development and humanitarian work.
Other objectives of the foundation, as defined by the law, include finding sustainable solutions to water shortage through the use of solar energy to desalinate and purify water and to improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities.
The law details the terms of reference which include providing drinking water to disadvantaged people around the world and developing permanent solutions to water scarcity using modern technologies. As per the law, the foundation is entitled to finance and support projects on water technologies that combat drought as well as develop sustainable solutions to water purification and desalination using solar energy.
Shaikh Mohammad also issued Decree No (8) of 2015 forming the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation chaired by the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and membership of representatives from the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, Emirates Red Crescent, UAE University, and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, in addition to two representatives from Dewa.
Pursuant to the Law, the Board of Trustees is valid for three renewable years. This decree is considered valid from the date of issuance and to be published in the Official Gazette.
In June 2014, Shaikh Mohammad launched the UAE Water Aid ‘Suqia’ campaign to provide access to fresh drinking water for five million people who suffer from shortage of drinking water in different parts of the world. The campaign has surpassed its target, collecting more than Dh180 million, enough to provide water to seven million.
