UAE’s 20by2020 Initiative offers clean water solution to thousands in Cambodian villages
- October 28, 2020
- Posted by: Lyn Wilson
- Category: Research Papers, Technology & Innovation, Water Issues, Asia
Thousands of inhabitants across three Cambodian villages; Chhnok Trou, Kampong Phrah and Ses Salab now experience a safer and healthier living due to the utilization of innovative water purifying technology as part of the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s UAE-driven humanitarian initiative 20by2020.
Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, 20by2020 is an initiative supporting sustainability and humanitarian values and aims to adopt an environment of stability and empowerment within all communities where there have been donations fostering specific activities.
The initiative is in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and Masdar.
In the case of Cambodia the 20by2020 initiative has progressed with five water fountains benefiting 4,400 residents of the three villages mentioned.
As a result of the instalment of the water ultra-filtration solution the village communities have access to clean and safe water for the first time and this technology now offers the residents the following advantages:
- An option for avoiding many waterborne diseases plus other health issues stemming from polluted water such as; diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis
- New opportunities for better hygiene thus also helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus by enabling more frequent handwashing
In Cambodia, the solution deployed has been developed by French company Safe Water Cube (prize winner 2019). Safe Water Cube technology ensures that surface water becomes drinkable (river, pond, well or brackish water) in the following ways:
- Treats 150 000 liters monthly
- No energy required
- Entirely mobile & mechanical
- Maintenance free
- No chemicals
UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said:
“This innovative water purification technology will positively impact the health and wellbeing of many people in rural Cambodia. Through the 20by2020 initiative, we are leveraging the sustainable solutions of Zayed Sustainability Prize winners and finalists to successfully impact countless lives around the world.”
Access to safe drinking water is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations adopted by 193 countries. In Cambodia especially, the provision of clean drinking water remains a major challenge; more than 3 million people lack access to safe water and 6 million lack access to improved sanitation.
Upcoming technology deployments include water and energy-related projects in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Costa Rica and Indonesia.
Source: https://news.masdar.ae