UAE to help dig 1,000 wells in water-scarce countries

Dubai - Over 800 children die from preventable diseases caused by poor water and lack of sanitation and hygiene.

A Dubai-based organisation, in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), is planning to build around 1,000 water wells over the next five years in areas suffering from water shortage.
To kick-start the campaign, Be Kind Initiative on Sunday, September 22, donated 100 per cent of its profits to ERC to fund the construction of 12 water wells in seven countries, including Sierra Leone, Niger, Togo, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Be Kind Initiative is the group behind Zayed Water, a local water brand inspired by the life of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Omar Abdulla Khalfan, chief kind officer at Be Kind, said: "The donation (Dh52,700) we made today is the very first that we have given to ERC since Zayed Water was launched five months ago."
"There's nothing more essential to life on Earth than water. Today, there are around 2.4 billion people who cannot do proper sanitation practises and 663 million who do not have access to improved water sources. Without these basic needs, the lives of millions of children are at risk," he added.
Khalfan noted that every day, over 800 children die from preventable diseases caused by poor water and lack of sanitation and hygiene.
One in 10 people in the world also do not have access to clean water.
"We are on a mission to change this with your support," he added.
ERC director Mohammad Abdullah Al Haj Al Zarooni added: "Digging water wells in the affected regions is a stepping stone towards development.
"When people gain access to clean water, they are better able to practise good hygiene and sanitation and can water crops, grow livestock to diversify their incomes."
Al Zarooni said the 12 wells - which will each cost between Dh4,000 and Dh25,000 depending on the source of water - will be ready by early next year.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Samuel Kaikai, trade and investment attaché at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said the wells would benefit hundreds of thousands of people in the West African country.
The initiative will also boost the relationship between the UAE and Sierra Leone, especially after the working visit of Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio to the country in August.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai