Etihad Aviation Group has announced funding to construct 30 water wells in three African nations including Nigeria, Mauritania and Sierra Leone
The funding is in support of the ‘Well of Hope’ water security initiative, launched during the Holy Month of Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Tony Douglas, group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The construction of the water wells will be in different locations of Nigeria, Mauritania and Sierra Leone and will begin by the end of 2019.”
It further focuses on supporting campaigns for the betterment of communities in need as water security is a critical issue in many parts across Africa.
There are more than 844mn people who lack access to clean drinking water, equivalent to one in every 10 people on earth. Each day, more than 800 children under the age of five die due to the consumption of contaminated water or exposure to poor health conditions.
Reflecting the recognition of water crisis, a number of Etihad employees ‘pumped’ 20,595 litres of water through a virtual pumping device last week, as part of the ‘Well of Hope’ water security initiative of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which has committed to match the virtual water volumes achieved by 20 private or public organisations in the UAE.