DUBAI // The UAE Red Crescent has started work on drilling 20 wells in Tanzania to help more than 40,000 people in 27 villages gain access to potable water.
The project in the region of Loliondo is being carried out in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Dar es Salaam and the Tanzanian authorities.
“We have received an immense response to the UAE Water Aid appeal from all sectors of society, locally, regionally and internationally,” said Dr Mohammed Al Falahi, the secretary general of the UAE Red Crescent.
“This confirms the vitality and importance in saving lives and lifting the suffering of the millions who face death because of water scarcity and contamination.”
Tanzania is the third country after Afghanistan and Iraq to undertake well-drilling projects as part of the UAE Water Aid relief effort.
Abdullah Ibrahim Al Suwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to Tanzania, said the embassy had conducted a survey of the local population, livestock and agricultural land in the areas that were in dire need of a number of wells. The initial cost of drilling each well is about Dh66,000.
Mr Al Suwaidi thanked the Tanzanian authorities for their help in expediting the drilling projects so that relief efforts could commence as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, donations kept pouring into the aid campaign. The Dubai Public Prosecution donated Dh300,000, while the Dubai Police handed over a cheque for Dh2.5 million that will help 100,000 people gain access to drinkable water.
malkhan@thenational.ae