Under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, MBRGI, the UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, has launched a sustainable development project to provide drinking water to over 45,000 people in Tajikistan, as part of the Risalat Khair programme.

Risalat Khair was launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, in co-operation with Suqia, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment, to promote humanitarian development and sustainable work outside the UAE.

The project included the opening and inspection of a 70-metre artesian well in a remote region of Tajikistan, which was also established by Suqia in 2015 to provide clean drinking water to more than 15,000 people.

Speaking about the project, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia, said, "This is line with the objectives of the ‘Year of Giving’ and the ‘Year of Zayed,’ launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan under the directives of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to support sustainable development. Suqia has been actively involved in the implementation of Risalat Khair, which was launched by DEWA, in co-operation with Suqia and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment, in Tajikistan, as part of its efforts to achieve its strategic objectives of providing clean water for the needy.

"This contributes to finding sustainable and innovative solutions to the problem of water scarcity around the world, through research and clean water projects using solar energy. This is in line with the UAE's keenness to actively participate in finding solutions to the challenges facing the community. By providing clean water to remote areas worldwide, we are keen to strengthen the UAE's leading position, to continue its role in addressing the challenges facing humankind, and to provide humanitarian assistance, help poor communities, and support development.

"In 2016, the UAE achieved a global leading position in providing countries with humanitarian development assistance, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD. This confirms that the UAE puts humanity at the top of its priorities. As His Highness once observed ‘Real giving is making a difference in a man's life, society or the progress of a country.’ "The project of establishing the new well, under the Risalat Khair programme, reflects the noble meaning and values of humanity and civilisation and affirms the approach of our wise leadership, which instilled these values in the hearts of Emirati men and women. We will continue to promote Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, and support the integrated and sustainable system of volunteerism in the UAE, as well as social cohesion, among employees and community members," Al Tayer noted.

Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia, stressed that Suqia is committed to implementing one of the main objectives of the MBRGI, which is to combat poverty and disease, by contributing to finding lasting solutions to the problem of water scarcity, through the launch of sustainable development projects worldwide.