Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | UAE Water Aid Board of Trustees holds 2nd virtual meeting of 2021

The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), which operates under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, held its second virtual meeting for 2021. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, chaired the meeting. The following board members also took part: HE Fahad Abdelrahman bin Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General for Development and International Cooperation at the Emirates Red Crescent and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Suqia; HE Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs; HE Dr Arif Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University; HE Dr Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Provost for Research at United Arab Emirates University; Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA; Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia UAE; and Humaid Abdulla Al Hammadi, Acting Secretary of the Board.

The meeting highlighted the updates of the 3rd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. This has seen large turn out and participation from 30 countries around the world, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, the UK, India, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and the UAE. Many countries are taking part for the first time, such as Algeria, Kenya, and Israel. The board members discussed Suqia’s latest projects, with over 1,000 sustainable water projects around the world to date. These projects provide clean drinking water to more than 13 million individuals in 36 countries. The Board also discussed Suqia’s Ramadan 2021 campaign to distribute drinking water as part of Iftar meals, and food parcels to workers houses and needy families in all of the country’s Emirates, in cooperation with Mai Dubai and 13 local charities and foundations during the holy month of Ramadan. The board members also discussed the updates of Suqia’s annual media campaign during Ramadan.

“Suqia has stepped up its efforts during the blessed month of Ramadan and in the Year of the Fiftieth to extend an assisting hand to the needy and disadvantaged, and alleviate the suffering of all people, wherever they are, especially in light of the exceptional circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. Across all its activities, Suqia is committed to following the precautionary and preventive measures set by the relevant authorities. This is to continue the legacy of humanitarian work of the United Arab Emirates, originally established by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is currently supported by the inspiring vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who constantly works on vital humanitarian issues, and considers that charity is indeed a major factor in the happiness of societies and the continuity of progress and prosperity,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“These concerted humanitarian efforts during the blessed month of Ramadan reflect genuine Emirati heritage and culture and the worthy values of the people of the UAE. Suqia is proud of its fruitful cooperation with its strategic partners to improve the lives of the disadvantaged and afflicted around the world, and provide relief to all the deprived and need in the world, irrespective of race, religion, or culture,” added Al Tayer.