U.A.E. Water Aid campaign surpasses target, raises over Dh140m

Dubai (WAM): An extra 603,000 people who lack access to clean water will benefit from the U.A.E. Water Aid campaign after it raised more than Dh140 million surpassing its own targeted amount of money needed to help five million people in developing countries in particular. The Dh140,081,000 raised so far by the U.A.E. Water aid from government departments, companies and individuals is enough to help 5,603,000 people around the world gain access to potable water, according to the Organising Committee of U.A.E. Water Aid. "The wide response, at the government and popular level, to the charity campaign launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, within only two weeks has contributed to making this honourable achievement which proves that our country has earned this well-deserved position on the forefront of nations rushing to humanitarian work through qualitative initiatives that enable members of the society to perform their duty of guaranteeing the basics of dignified life for the population of regions facing difficult conditions," said Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organising Committee of U.A.E. Water Aid. Mr. Al Gergawi thanked all donors for their contribution to this achievement which he described as a source of pride and as a demonstration of the interest of the whole society in taking part in charity wand sincere efforts to extend help to others in line with the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan and in compliance to the noble Islamic values of compassion and mercy and helping the needy. "May Allah bless all the donors and enable them to always be part of efforts to promote peace, brotherliness, harmony and love among all people," said Mr. Al Gergawi. In order to allow more donors to show their support to the humanitarian drive, and to maximise its benefits for the needy, the U.A.E. Water Aid campaign will continue to receive donations until it officially wraps up on Wednesday 16 July. Launched to coincide with the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the U.A.E. Water Aid campaign will provide five million people worldwide with access to fresh drinking water through digging wells, providing water pumps and water purification equipment. Figures from World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) in 2008 show that a child dies every 21 seconds from a water-related illness, or 9,863 people every day, 3.4 million people each year. The U.A.E. people’s immediate response to the U.A.E. Water Aid campaign which underlines the noble values they uphold, was highly valued by international media which praised U.A.E. for being capital of humanitarian initiatives, and highlighted the country's role in international humanitarian efforts. U.A.E. Water Aid campaign addresses water scarcity, a problem that has continued to worsen in many parts of the world in the past decades, in drought-hit countries in particular. Water shortage is threatening the lives of millions of people, and is foreshadowing even more grave dangers if concerned countries and international bodies do not put prompt plans and strategies in place in order to bring forward radical solutions in afflicted areas. – Emirates News Agency, WAM