DUBAI // The UAE Water Aid charity has been instructed to give priority to citizens of Gaza who are facing severe water shortages caused by the Israeli attacks.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, told the charity’s board to focus on Gaza and provide clean drinking water to them quickly.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the UAE’s commitment to always stand by the Palestinian people.
“The lack of access to clean drinking water is one of the biggest issues that our brethren in Gaza face today, which is why I have instructed the UAE Water Aid to work immediately on the provision of an adequate supply of drinking water as part of urgent humanitarian initiatives launched by the President, [Sheikh Khalifa],” he said.
Sheikh Mohammed ordered flights carrying 150 tonnes of aid to leave each day from Dubai to Amman. From there, it would be carried overland towards Gaza.
“Supplying drinking water is no longer a luxury but a duty,” he said. “The UAE will continue to provide water to millions around the world and spread the message of peace, love and virtue to all the people of the world.”
In its Ramadan appeal, UAE Water Aid, or Suqia, raised almost Dh200 million to provide clean drinking water to the developing world.
malkhan@thenational.ae