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The UAE has established a role in international efforts to combat humanitarian challenges, as well as having a strong presence in emergency and long-term humanitarian aid all around the world.
In June 2014, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) to provide clean water to five million people worldwide. Suqia managed to raise AED 180 million in 18 days, to provide clean drinking water to 7 million people around the world, in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent.
In March 2015, HH Sheikh Mohammed issued a law establishing the UAE Water Aid Foundation as non-profit organisation, to enhance the sustainability of the initiative. Today, the UAE Water Aid Foundation is under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and strives to find sustainable solutions to the issue of water scarcity.
It promotes happiness within poor and disaster-stricken communities by fostering and investing in innovative and sustainable solar-powered pure water solutions through effective partnerships in a sustainable and efficient platform, aligned with best international practices. The Foundation also supervises The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, an annual USD 1 million international award, allocated to research and development of new technologies and mechanisms in solar power to produce water.
The initiative has allocated this fund to finding sustainable solutions that help address water shortages internationally, particularly by using solar energy for desalination and
purification.
The award invites companies, scientific organisations, research centres, and innovators, to present their innovative projects and participate in the award. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award comprises of three categories.
These are the Innovative Projects Award (Small and Large projects), the Innovative Research and Development Award (National and International institutions), and the Innovative Youth Award. The UAE Water Aid Foundation is accepting applications from 22 March 2016 until 31 July 2016.