Dubai: More than eight million water cups will be provided at iftar and mosque tents under a new initiative launched in the UAE.
Under the umbrella of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) started the ‘Suqia Zayed’ initiative to provide clean drinking water inside and outside the country. The programme comes in line with the objectives of the Year of Zayed.
Suqia Zayed initiative is being implemented across the UAE in partnership with Mai Dubai and in cooperation with 14 charities to provide more than eight million water cups. The initiative extends to 13 countries, in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.
These countries include Uganda, Chad, Egypt, Brazil, Canada, US, Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Ukraine and Bangladesh.
The foundation also kicked off a campaign in Ramadan to raise awareness on water scarcity and urge community members to donate clean drinking water to the needy around the world, who often have to travel long distances for many hours on foot in search of clean water.
“Suqia is committed to charity initiatives during Ramadan. The initiative reflects the spirit of the Year of Zayed and the noble values and principles instilled by our late founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan; mainly, investing in humans, wisdom and philanthropy,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.
“During Ramadan, Suqia also seeks to raise awareness about the problem of water scarcity around the world, and to highlight the suffering of women and children in areas where drinking water is available only at large distances. Our efforts to provide drinking water to needy communities around the world and to find sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity reflects our commitment to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, namely, eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring availability and sustainable management of water for all,” he said.
He added that the initiative also supports the foundation’s humanitarian and development work, and achieves one of the main objectives of the MBRGI, to combat poverty and disease.
During the Year of Zayed, Suqia launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which included six humanitarian and social projects and initiatives, in collaboration with Dewa and Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, he added.
Over eight million people in 25 countries have benefited from Suqia’s initiatives and sustainable development projects so far, noted Mohammad Abdul Lareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia.
