DUBAI // The campaign to provide clean drinking water to five million people in Asia and Africa has raised more than Dh60 million in two days.
The Emirates Red Crescent said donations to UAE Suqia were pouring in fast from government departments, private organisations and individuals.
“We raised Dh33.5m on Saturday from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Customs, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority and many more organisations,” said Mohammad Al Zarouni, head of the organisation’s Dubai branch.
“We urge everyone to come forward and donate for this project.”
The Red Crescent intends to dig 600 wells in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Iraq, and in African countries such as Togo, Niger, Ghana and Somalia. It will also distribute water pumps and water-purification equipment. Digging could take between 15 days and four months, depending on the terrain, the depth of the water table and the size of the well.
Mr Al Zarouni said water tanks would be installed where water was available but wasted as a result of inefficient collection.
“We are also trying to purify water. About 400,000 children die in Africa every year because of dirty water and we want to avoid that,” Mr Al Zarouni said.
The Red Crescent plans to dig four large water wells in Iraq, initially in Kurdistan, depending on the security situation in the country.
“We are also installing water tanks for refugees and they will be ready in 18 days. The tanks will provide clean water to about 100,000 people.”
UAE Suqia is an initiative of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi has launched a Ramadan project called Let Hope Shine, to build a school in Ghana. The mall management will work with the Red Crescent to open the school for the 2015-2016 academic year. Visitors can donate for the project.
pkannan@thenational.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
