The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has implemented two projects to provide drinking water to over 90,000 people in Somalia. Suqia has implemented these projects in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment. This is one of Suqia’s humanitarian projects to support international efforts to combat poverty and disease by finding sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity around the world. The projects also support the ‘For Your Sake, Somalia’ campaign.
Suqia’s first project, in Ufayn in the eastern region of Somalia, includes building a 300-cubic-metre water collection point near the water springs at the foot of the mountain and 600 cubic metre water reservoirs. The project also includes repairing and replacing the three-kilometre pipeline network. Solar-powered pumps will be provided to pump water from the ground reservoir to an elevated water tank in the town. The project will make it easier for residents to access potable water, reducing the distance they have to travel to obtain water for drinking, irrigation, or livestock. The project will benefit about 50,000 people in the town and neighbouring villages.
The second project involved drilling an artesian well in the village of Tookiyo in the Lower Shabelle province in Somalia, and the installation of pipes and an electric pump. This covers the basic water needs of the village whose residents rely on agriculture and livestock. The project includes building a 20 cubic-metre water tank, 3 basins for animals, and shaded water taps to protect residents from the sun, and also connecting the water systems from the well to the water tank and the basins. The project will provide over 40,000 people with clean water, alleviating residents’ suffering in getting water, and limiting diseases that could spread as a result of drinking contaminated water.
“Suqia’s projects in Somalia, especially as we approach the Holy month of Ramadan, aim to alleviate the suffering of the people in Somalia. This supports the Year of Giving initiative, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve the living conditions of poor communities and provide water to millions of needy people around the world, irrespective of gender or colour. The projects also support the For Your Sake, Somalia campaign, which was launched by the Emirates Red Crescent, to alleviate the suffering of millions of people in this country,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.
Al Tayer noted that Suqia provides clean water to the needy around the world, in cooperation with several charitable organisations in UAE. Suqia also works to find sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity around the world through studies, research, and projects using solar energy to provide clean water. This confirms the UAE’s commitment to actively participate in finding solutions to the challenges facing humanity
“The UAE Water Aid Foundation 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 2016, Suqia’s projects benefitted over 8 million people in 19 countries around the world. This is part of our commitment to implement the directives of our wise leadership, in humanitarian work,” said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Aid Foundation.