Abu Dhabi: UAE’s water foreign aid was estimated at Dh1.01 billion to ensure water supplies in 61 countries during the period from 2009-13.
The Ministry of Development and International Cooperation released a report on water projects implemented in 61 countries to provide access to water for underprivileged people.
The report was released on Wednesday to coincide with the UAE Water Aid campaign launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide clean drinking water to five million people worldwide.
According to the report, the UAE provided Dh494.5 million to ensure clean drinking water supplies, with Afghanistan ranked first on the list of countries that benefited from aid with Dh231 million, followed by Lebanon (Dh64.6), Pakistan Dh38.8 million, and finally Somalia Dh35 million.
The UAE also provided Dh352 million in aid to develop river basins, where Sudan came first with Dh152.3 million, followed by Yemen (Dh72.7 million), Morocco (Dh44.7 million) and Tunisia Dh20 million.
On developing infrastructure for maritime transport, the UAE provided Dh53 million in different countries, where Pakistan came first with Dh22.8 million, followed by Egypt (Dh15.9 million), and Armenia (Dh13.8 million).
The report shows that the total foreign aid spending on major public health systems was estimated at Dh21.62 millionand basic hygiene 11.3 million and Dh153 million on drinking water and sewerage systems.
