Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, and UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, have announced that they are organising an awareness programme for school students in Dubai, in collaboration with Surge; a global non-profit organisation for water, sanitation, and hygiene projects.

This is part of DEWA's efforts to educate future generations about the global water crisis and water scarcity, as well as teach the young about sustainability and rationalisation of resources.

The programme for elementary and middle school students in the public and private sector includes a variety of activities, including a virtual trip around the world to identify the problem of water scarcity and the challenges facing millions of people around the world in obtaining clean water.

During the course of the programme, each student will receive his/her 'passport', which gets stamped after the completion of each stage. Students will also participate in interactive and educational activities, and games, to promote environmentally friendly behaviour, conserve natural resources, and rationalise water consumption. The activities include water footprint, water competitions, seeds of hope, and others.

Commenting on the announcement, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA MD and CEO, said, "Our cooperation with Surge and our support for its awareness programmes, around the world, aims to spread knowledge among future generations. This supports DEWA’s motto, ‘for generations to come’, and works to achieve the Dubai Demand Side Energy Strategy, to reduce energy and water consumption by 30 percent by 2030."

"In line with the directives of our wise leadership, Suqia supports the efforts of partnership with international, regional, and local organisations, who share common objectives in reducing water scarcity. Suqia is sponsoring the $1 million Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, to encourage research institutions, individuals, and innovators worldwide, to find sustainable and innovative solutions for water scarcity using solar energy," said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia.

"DEWA is committed to supporting the efforts of Surge to provide clean water to the needy around the world. 900 students benefitted from the programme last year, and we are working to increase this number to 1,200 students by the end of this year," said Marita Peters, Executive Director of Surge Middle East.