The UAE-based humanitarian initiative Beyond2020, launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, has improved access to clean water for 9,000 people in Ethiopia.
Six shallow wells with solar pumps have been installed, which contributed to reducing waterborne diseases and improving overall health, in villages at Walessa, Holte, and Gato, located in the Dirashe District. The wells supply around 20,000 litres of clean water daily, to cater to drinking, sanitation and agricultural needs.
The people from the Dirashe District are mainly farmers, and practice sustainable agriculture. Due to the levels of algae increasing in local rivers, the water became unsafe to drink, and water resources in the district were limited. People in the villages relied on surface water harvested from rain and nearby open rivers for drinking, cleaning and cooking needs, which led to an increase in waterborne diseases.
To combat the water issue, shallow hand pump wells were installed in the villages in 2014, but due to the high maintenance required to operate the pumps, the wells could not be used to access clean water.
His Excellency Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President-Designate said, "As we continue to push towards a more sustainable and equitable world, access to safe water remains a fundamental human right. Beyond2020 and its partners are delighted to have been able to improve the livelihoods of three communities in Ethiopia by providing them with access to this essential resource."
