Zayed Prize 'Beyond 2020' Initiative Provides Clean Water to 10,000 People in Vietnam
ABU DHABI, The pioneering humanitarian initiative "Beyond 2020," led by the United Arab Emirates and launched by the Zayed Prize for Sustainable Development in collaboration with several partners, has announced the establishment of ecologically sustainable freshwater resources in local communities in rural Vietnam. This endeavor aims to provide clean drinking water to 10,000 people, aligning with the ongoing efforts of the initiative to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The "Beyond 2020" initiative contributes to solidifying the legacy of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, "may God rest his soul," in the realm of sustainability and humanitarian work by disseminating sustainable solutions and technologies to communities most in need.
This project marks the 16th endeavor undertaken by the initiative, with the goal of providing effective solutions that enhance the living conditions of a greater number of beneficiaries worldwide. It works towards harnessing technology for the betterment of humanity and promoting a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.
His Excellency Dr. Badr Al Matroushi, the UAE Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, stated, "The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Vietnam share a strong commitment and unwavering determination to promote innovative solutions that urgently address sustainability challenges in today's world. The 'Beyond 2020' humanitarian initiative has contributed to expanding access to clean water in Vietnamese rural communities, ensuring the security of one of life's fundamental necessities and enhancing the well-being of these communities, enabling them to withstand the repercussions of climate change."
In turn, His Excellency Nguyen Manh Tuan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Vietnam to the United Arab Emirates, said, "Providing clean water to our population is one of the top priorities of the Vietnamese government. The 'Beyond 2020' initiative has aided in supplying clean water to 10,000 local residents by ensuring a sustainable water source in isolated communities, enabling them to lead healthier and more productive lives."
Amin bin Al-Hajj Al-Sulami, CEO of BNP Paribas Middle East and Africa, a partner of the "Beyond 2020" initiative, noted, "Based on our societal responsibility, we take pride in partnering with the 'Beyond 2020' initiative and working together to secure essential resources for communities in need. As the consequences of climate change intensify, millions of people face greater challenges in terms of health, food and water security, and livelihoods, making it more crucial than ever for us to cooperate with global partners such as the 'Beyond 2020' initiative to have a real and evolving impact."
Vietnam boasts abundant natural water resources with over 2,360 rivers, yet it grapples with a severe shortage of clean water. Despite rapid progress in improving water supply over the past decades, reports indicate that more than 50% of the population in remote areas, housing two-thirds of the Vietnamese population, lacks access to clean water and sanitation services. The deployment of a simple and efficient water filtration system to purify river and well water would significantly enhance the country's water security and overall public health.
Under this project, Safe Water Cube, a global non-profit organization and finalist of the 2019 Zayed Sustainable Development Award in the Water category, deployed eight water filtration systems to provide clean water to five villages and three schools in the Quang Nam province of Vietnam. Safe Water Cube also provided training to 26 individuals, including 14 men and 8 women, on the use and maintenance of the water fountains.
The Safe Water Cube technology was developed by the Agier Ensemblé Foundation, based in France, whose mission is to raise private and government funds to deploy fountains in countries lacking access to clean water. These fountains operate using a manual pump and purify water from microbes, viruses, and other impurities through various filtration systems without using harmful chemicals or electrical energy. One fountain can pump 1,000 liters of clean water per hour and provide clean water to a village with up to 1,000 inhabitants.
The five villages where Safe Water Cube fountains were deployed included Apat village in Chaval municipality, Nam Xang district; Badao village in Tan My municipality, Nam Xang district; Tan Doy village in Dai Son municipality, Dai Loc regency; Lap Thon village in Dai Hung municipality, Dai Loc regency; Noc Son Tai village in Bien Phu municipality, Tang Bien district, in addition to three schools in Nya Tu Hoang Phu, Dai Hung, and Dai Loc villages.
Vietnam is the third country where Safe Water Cube fountains have been installed as part of the Post-2020 initiative, following installations that provided clean water to 8,500 people in Madagascar and 4,400 people in Cambodia.
It is worth noting that the "Beyond 2020" initiative includes several prominent partner institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala Energy, and Masdar. To date, the initiative has implemented 16 projects to disseminate innovative solutions in the fields of energy, health, water, and food, radically transforming the lives of over 211,800 people in 16 countries across Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Four more countries have also been identified for the implementation of new projects, including