Dubai Customs Ramadan campaign to drill one well a day for world’s poor

The Dubai Customs project aims to bring water to impoverished people in Africa and Asia

DUBAI // A Ramadan campaign aims to bring fresh water to impoverished people in Africa and Asia by drilling 30 wells — one for each day of the holy month.

The Dubai Customs project whas been launched alongside the UAE Suqia Water Aid initiative of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, director of Dubai Customs, said: “Our project consists of digging 30 wells in the most underprivileged regions in Africa and Asia where potable water is scarce.”

The Water Aid campaign aims to provide clean water to five million people in developing countries by excavating wells and providing water pumps and water purification equipment.

The public fund-raising appeal was launched on Saturday. Already a number of large companies have donated to the cause with telecommunications companies Du and Etislt both giving Dh2.5 million, while the Al Ansari Exchange has donated Dh1 million

Ahmad bin Byat, chairman of du, said: “Water is the very essence of life, and is something that we take for granted, while others are less fortunate.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s UAE Water Aid initiative is a noble cause that will allow us to alleviate the water situation in less fortunate countries, contributing to saving millions of lives around the world by giving them access to clean water.”

Etisalat said it will be sending millions of text messages to its customers explaining how they can make a donation towards the cause.

Previously, the Dubai Cares charity, which improves children’s access to primary education in developing countries, has implemented Dh99 million of water and sanitation programmes in poor countries.

The UAE has also spent Dh25.3 million on 76 clean water projects in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Assistance Programme (PAP) has helped to dig wells and build water desalination plants, tanks and pumps for tens of thousands of people in the country, reported state news agency Wam.

These include 44 projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 in South Waziristan, 12 in Mohmand Agency and two in North Waziristan.

PAP was set up under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa to help Pakistan overcome the effect of the 2010 torrential rains and floods that wrecked havoc in the country.

As a result of the floods, malaria and hepatitis have been on the rise, and available clean water helps combat these health issues.

Maurizio Giuliano, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said: “Up to 3.5 million Pakistani children are at high risk of deadly waterborne diseases, such as watery diarrhoea and dysentery. Water during the flood has been contaminated badly. There is a shortage of clean water.”

In 2013, the UAE provided US $5.2 billion (Dh19.1 billion) in development assistance to other countries. The Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said this was this was the highest amount in the world in proportion to a country’s gross national income.