DUBAI: In cooperation with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment, and under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) organised a voluntary youth campaign to implement sustainable development and operational projects in the governorates of Qena, Luxor, and Aswan in Upper Egypt. This comes within the framework of Suqia’s keenness to involve the youth in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and initiatives, and as part of its efforts to support the objectives of the Year of Giving 2017 and the Year of Zayed 2018.

The campaign included 62 projects for the establishment of clean water distribution networks, the installation of domestic water filters, and follow-up for Suqia’s water projects that were implemented in cooperation with DEWA’s Youth Council earlier. The campaign also included laying the foundation for two water purification plants in Aswan, in the presence of General Magdy Hijazi, Governor of Aswan, and a number of officials. The campaign also included the distribution of 25 operational, sustainable projects, including fishing boats and yarn for fishing, as well as sewing machines and blankets for villagers.

“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish CSR as one of the main principles of the UAE's message to the world, and as a core value amongst the youth, we were keen to involve the youth in our international humanitarian campaigns, which we organised in partnership with DEWA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment, especially after the huge success achieved by Risalat Khair in Tajikistan. This supports the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 and the Year of Zayed 2018,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia.

“We are proud of the youth’s contribution to the implementation of this important sustainable project in our second country, Egypt. This highlights the level of awareness reached by DEWA’s youth, as well as the love between the two nations. This project will serve many families in villages in Upper Egypt, by providing a sustainable solution to the challenges faced by villagers in their access to clean drinking water. DEWA’s Youth Council has included a full focus in its work plan on sustainability, and the promotion of the values of giving, in line with the objectives of the Year of Giving, and the DEWA’s sustainable position to serve all members of society,” added Al Tayer.

“In addition to achieving Suqia’s objectives to extend a helping hand to the needy people worldwide, and to implement development projects for these communities, these projects are an opportunity to raise awareness among the youth and involve them in CSR work. We appreciate the efforts done by DEWA’s Youth Council in the success of these CSR initiatives, and in highlighting the efforts of Emirati youth who have the late Sheikh Zayed’s humanitarian principles instilled in them. Suqia has implemented projects providing drinking water, to 8 million people, in 25 countries worldwide, up to the end of 2017, in collaboration with a number of leading charity organisations,” said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Aid Foundation.

The delegation included 12 volunteers from DEWA, including representatives from DEWA’s Youth Council, representatives from Suqia, and many social media influencers, in cooperation with the Dubai Press Club. These influencers included Munther Al-Muzaki, Diala Ali, and Saoud Al Kaabi. Over 100,000 people are expected to benefit from this campaign.