In memory of the Founding Father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, DHA employees will contribute to build 100 wells to provide clean drinking water to families in countries of need. Other community members can also contribute towards this initiative.
“Through this initiative, we hope to expand on our Founding Father’s philanthropic vision and celebrate his legacy,” said Salim Bin Lahej, Director of Dubai Health Fund Department at DHA. “We have collaborated with Dar Al Ber Society and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department to build 100 wells in areas where communities suffer from a lack of access to clean, safe water. The five countries we have selected are India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan and Senegal.”
The Department has started building wells in Sri Lanka and later the initiative will extend to other countries.
About 3 in 10 people worldwide, or 2.1 billion, lack access to safe, readily available water at home, and 6 in 10, or 4.5 billion, lack safely managed sanitation, according to the 2017 report by the World Health Organisation and Unicef. Far too many people still lack access, particularly in rural areas.
“A sufficient supply of biologically and chemically safe water is necessary for drinking and personal hygiene to prevent diarrheal diseases, trachoma, intestinal worm infections, and stunted growth among children,” said Bin Lahej.
Collecting water takes time. Unicef said women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation, Goal 6, calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.
“Our aim is to alleviate their suffering by providing them with this most basic need to improve the quality of their life,” said Bin Lahej.
Contribute to the cause
Community members can contribute towards this humanitarian cause. Each well costs Dh1,000. Those interested should visit DHA’s Health Fund Department, which is located in Rashid Hospital Medical Library.
Working hours: Weekdays from 7.30am to 2.30 pm.
Alternatively, community members can visit Dar Al Ber.
