DUBAI // It’s not just companies and government departments who are contributing to the UAE’s Water Aid campaign, residents have also embraced the spirit this Ramadan by handing over hundreds of thousands of dirhams.
Officials said two donations – one of Dh100,000 and another of Dh200,000 – came from residents, who did not wish to be named, while the Al Baraha Quran School donated Dh500,000. The donations will help an estimated 32,000 people gain access to clean water.
Others are making more humble, but equally important, donations to the UAE Suqia campaign, mostly by text messages.
“This year each member of our family has donated Dh500 to the UAE Water Aid, through the SMS number,” said Umm Amer, an Emirati housewife. “Of course this is in addition to the usual charity we give during the holy month
“Water is the best charity anyone can give. You can give all the aid you want but if there is no water it will not work.
“Four years ago our family pitched together and paid a charity to drill a well in a village in Pakistan,” said the grandmother of two. “It was the village of my sister’s driver. He told her about the ordeal of having to fetch water every day in his village and how it was ironic that here in the desert it is so easy to get water.”
Adnan Hussein, 35, from Pakistan donated Dh125 and urged others to do so.
“This is a really important issue that millions of people are affected by and this appeal can make a huge difference to the daily lives of many,” said Mr Hussein, who works in finance in Dubai.
“I was looking for a good charity to support in Ramadan and when I read about this I thought it would be very worthwhile. People can donate what they feel comfortable with. Even the smallest amount will make a big difference to the lives of people in other countries.”
Ramadan is a time for thinking about those less fortunate and helping others, said Mr Hussein.
His sentiment was echoed by Adel Abdulla Salem, who made a donation in memory of his late mother.
“I donated to UAE Water Aid in my mother’s name,” said the Emirati father of three. “She passed away a few months ago and I had always planned to donate to charity for her, this came at the perfect time. “It was a humble amount, what I can afford, but every bit counts. I think this is the best charity idea for Ramadan, it has been done before by a number of organisations but never at this scale,” said the 37-year-old government employee.
Donations continued to pour into the charity from large organisations, with the Roads and Transport Authority handing over Dh2.5 million. RTA staff and customers were also encouraged to contribute.
“Starting from yesterday, a campaign began within and outside the RTA to encourage employees, customers and community members to actively participate in the campaign,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman and executive director of the RTA.
Donations boxes were set up for employees, while emails and text messages were sent out showing how people they can help.
The Dubai Chamber, Dubai World Central, and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) each gave Dh2m.
“We are grateful to have the resources to support such an ambitious campaign,” said Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice chairman and chief executive of DSOA. “We are thankful that our contribution will help communities that are in urgent need of our compassion and assistance.”
Economic Zones World, a developer and operator of economic zones, technology, logistics and industrial parks under the Dubai World Group, donated Dh7m.
More than Dh16m was donated on Monday, bringing the total to Dh69.45m, well on the way to reaching the Dh125m target needed to aid five million people.
The campaign will continue until the 19th day of Ramadan, when proceeds will be credited to the account of UAE Water Aid.
malkhan@thenational.ae
nhanif@thenational.ae
