Etihad to fund construction of 30 wells in Africa

UAE's national air carrier is stepping up efforts to help ease a critical shortage of clean drinking water in three African nations.

The Etihad Aviation Group said it will construct 30 water wells in Nigeria, Mauritania, and Sierra Leone by the end of 2019.

Tony Douglas, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group said, their initiative supports the ‘Well of Hope’ water security initiative, which was 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.

"Etihad Aviation Group is committed to supporting or initiating campaigns for the betterment of communities in need, and water security is a critical issue," Douglas said. "This initiative reflects our recognition of this crisis, and our commitment to contribute in a small way to a practical solution."

Globally, more than 844 million people lack access to clean drinking water, equivalent to one in every 10 people on earth. Each day, over 800 children under five years of age die due to the consumption of contaminated water or exposure to poor health conditions.