Board of Trustees of Saqya UAE reviews the institution's achievements during the first quarter of the Year of Zayed.

The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives, held its first meeting this year, chaired by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia. The meeting was attended by HE Fahad Abdelrahman bin Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General for International Aid in the UAE Red Crescent Authority; HE Professor Ahmed Murad, Dean of the College of Science in the United Arab Emirates University; HE Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Director and Acting Executive Vice President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology; Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at DEWA; Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Excellence at DEWA; Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia; and Fahad Abdullah bin Afira Al Falasi, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Board of Trustees expressed their appreciation for HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for honouring Suqia among humanitarian aid organisations during a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The UAE ranked as the world’s top donor of humanitarian aid, compared to its national income, with AED19.3 billion in 2017.

The meeting reviewed Suqia’s achievements during the first quarter of the Year of Zayed as part of its efforts in the humanitarian work and finding sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world. The meeting also discussed preparations for the 2nd edition of the USD1 million Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award encourages research centres, institutes, and innovators from all over the world to develop sustainable and innovative renewable-energy solutions to address the problem of drinking water scarcity, using solar energy. The meeting also reviewed the projects implemented by Suqia in cooperation with both the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), as well as the initiatives of the local and international organisations during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the outcomes of the visit to Uganda to follow up on Suqia’s projects there and plan the upcoming voluntary trip.

“Suqia continues its efforts in humanitarian work during the Year of Zayed, which commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who extended his helping hand to the needy all over the world. We are guided by the vision of our wise leadership to implement initiatives that benefit the UAE society.  Suqia is committed to combating poverty and disease, which is one of the objectives set by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. This is done by finding sustainable solutions to the lack of potable water. By the end of 2017, Suqia’s projects benefitted over 8 million people around the world,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer pointed out that Suqia approved 46 projects in 10 countries to benefit over 45,000 people. These projects are within the first group of projects in the Year of Zayed in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment. The total number of projects will reach 100 under 6 initiatives to provide potable water in many regions around the world.

Al Shamsi pointed out that the Foundation launched ‘Suqia Zayed’ to provide potable water inside and outside the UAE during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Foundation collaborated with 14 local charities and with Mai Dubai to distribute over 8 million water cups during Iftar and Suhoor. He also pointed out that the Foundation, in cooperation with DEWA Youth Council, took part in ‘Their Suhoor is on Us’ initiative, which is organised by the Community Development Authority’s Youth Council to distributes Suhoor meals to workers during Ramadan. Suqia contributed to the campaign by providing 48,000 Mai Dubai water cups. Internationally, Suqia collaborates with the Mohammed bin Rashid Charity and Humanitarian Establishment and UAE embassies in 13 countries around the world to distribute potable water during Iftar at Ramadan.

The meeting discussed the outcomes of the projects implemented by Suqia during the Year of Zayed. These include the ‘100 volunteers’ initiative, in cooperation with DEWA which instills values ​​of volunteering and humanitarian work among youth and employees, and the ‘100 Water Endowment’ to provide 100 water coolers in various parts of Dubai. The meeting also discussed the Foundation's initiatives related to spreading awareness among children and the younger generation about water scarcity and conservation of natural resources through ‘Water: The Global Passport’ educational awareness programme organised by Suqia in cooperation with DEWA. It introduces students to the concept of sensible use of resources and gives them tips to rationalise consumption to preserve natural resources and protect the environment. Twenty-four school visits have been carried out so far, involving 3,458 students.