As part of its initiatives during the Year of Zayed, the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), in cooperation with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment under the umbrella of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organised a volunteering campaign in Upper Egypt under the theme ‘Ayadi Zayed’ (The hands of Zayed). The campaign, which included volunteers from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), carried out number of developmental and operational projects. This is the second volunteering campaign this year after the first campaign in July 2018, and the second to Upper Egypt after the first one last December.
The 4-day campaign visited a number of villages in the governorates of Luxor and Qena in the south of Egypt. The projects included extending potable water networks to 80 houses, and distributing operational projects to around 400 families. These included fishing boats, transport motorcycles, and cattle and sheep breeding. The campaign also laid the foundation stone for a housing project in the presence of Major General Abdul Hamid al-Hagan, Governor of Qena. Volunteers also distributed blankets, clothes for children, and meat and food staples for around 600 families. The team also followed up on the projects implemented by the two organisations last December as part of the Al Khair campaign during the Year of Giving 2017.
“Under the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE continues the approach of giving and humanitarian work that was established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE is one of the world’s top donors, ranking first as the largest official development aid donor relative to national income in 2017,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia, and MD & CEO of DEWA.
“The campaign, which is implemented by Suqia in cooperation with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment with the participation of DEWA volunteers, is part of Suqia’s humanitarian and social programme during the Year of Zayed, which marks 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. Sheikh Zayed extended his helping hands to the needy all over the world. These efforts reflect the noble values and principles instilled by the Founding Father in the heart of Emiratis, including human development, wisdom, and philanthropy. Suqia’s programme this year include the 100 Volunteers Initiative to promote a culture of volunteering in society, the 100 Water Projects, and international initiatives to provide safe drinking water for needy communities as well as implement sustainable development projects that serve their needs,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer commended the efforts of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment in implementing these projects. He also praised DEWA’s volunteers, and emphasised that DEWA is committed to promoting social responsibility and consolidating the spirit of volunteering among employees, and encouraging them to take part in various community and charitable initiatives and programmes within an integrated social work system. Al Tayer noted that DEWA’s female employees widely participate in volunteering initiatives, which reinforces the pioneering role of Emirati women in humanitarian and development efforts locally and internationally. This supports the vision of the wise leadership in empowering women in all areas across all domains.
HE Chancellor Ibrahim Boumelha, Advisor to His Highness the Ruler of Dubai for Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, said that the Establishment is committed to adopting and launching many initiatives and programmes in line with declaring 2018 as the Year of Zayed by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He noted that the Establishment’s initiatives and programmes implement the directives of His Highness the President which consolidate the values of giving, doing good deeds, and humanitarian work instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the Emirati people.
“The UAE will always continue to follow the approach derived from the eternal humanitarian teachings of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This is the UAE’s strategy and solid approach in giving and helping all those in need. The UAE will continue to be a model and landmark for charity and humanitarian work,” said Boumelha.
Boumelha noted that the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment in coordination with Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, carried out the second humanitarian trip to Egypt with a joint team from the two organisations. This is part of the Establishment’s initiatives in the Year of Zayed 2018. The volunteers carried out various humanitarian activities in the villages of the town of Arment in Luxor and the villages of the towns of Qus and Naqada in Qena. He pointed out that the cooperation with Suqia is an example of what humanitarian organisations can do together in implementing many projects that benefit the countries and their people.
Boumelha clarified that the importance of the ‘Ayadi Zayed’ initiative in the cities and villages of Upper Egypt not only helps those in need, but also has educational aspects for young Emirati volunteers. It is a testament of the noble values of the leadership and people of the UAE in providing unconditional help to the needy around the world. This helps Emirati volunteers develop cultural awareness and behaviour, urging them to help the underprivileged, one of the criteria for the advancement of societies. It helps young people understand the UAE’s approach since its establishment in helping and supporting those in need in brotherly and friendly countries.
“Our participation in this campaign as volunteers contributes to achieving Suqia’s objectives and representing the UAE. We follow the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who consolidated the principles of doing good and unlimited giving in Emiratis, whose helping hands extend to support countries and people in need,” said Fatma Essa Al Muhairi, Senior Executive – Climate Change & Sustainability at DEWA, and one of the campaign’s volunteers.