The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) has held its 3rd meeting for this year to discuss Suqia’s achievements and projects, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, during Q3 of the Year of Giving, as well as its strategy for 2018 and aligning it with the objectives of the Year of Zayed.

"Suqia’s humanitarian projects and initiatives this year are aligned with the Year of Giving, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish the concept of giving as one of the most important characteristics of Emirati people and institutions. During the meeting, we discussed the alignment of Suqia’s strategy with the goals of the Year of Zayed, which marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the pioneer in giving and in humanitarian work, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.

''At Suqia, we are committed to achieving one of the key objectives set by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation, which is to combat poverty and disease by contributing to finding permanent and sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world. We do this by conducting research and studies to develop innovative and affordable technologies to help millions of people around the world who suffer from shortages, scarcity, in addition to providing water to millions of the needy around the world," added Al Tayer.

Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia, noted that the meeting reviewed the results of ‘Risalat Khair’ initiative, in cooperation with DEWA, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment. Risalat Khair organised the first voluntary visit to Tajikistan. The visit resulted in opening wells to provide drinking water to around 45,000 people, with the help of 15 volunteers from DEWA’s staff.

The meeting also discussed charity projects for 2017. Suqia, in cooperating with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment and the Emirates Red Crescent, launched over 60 projects in 16 countries. These include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Somalia, Thailand, Djibouti, the Philippines, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, China, and Iraq. The projects include water plants, wells, and water connection projects. Upon completion, these projects are expected to serve over 250,000 people.