UAE humanitarian enterprise supports solar power initiative for Sudanese

The UAE-led ‘Beyond2020’ humanitarian initiative has provided a safe source of water for about 20,000 residents of the villages of ‘Tawit’ and ‘Tahjr’ in Kassala State, eastern Sudan.

Under the initiative two small solar-powered water basins were erected in accordance with a groundwater pumping system to provide 20 liters of water per day to residents of the two villages, with the goal of improving access to water and residents' hygiene and health standards.

The Beyond2020 deployment in Sudan was implemented by the 2017 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner Practical Action, a UK-based non-profit organisation that works with communities to develop solutions to address the challenges they face through creative and sustainable solutions.

Beyond2020 is the continuation and expansion of the pioneering UAE-led humanitarian initiative 20by2020, which was launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in partnership with several leading local and international organisations in December 2019. The company is the winner of Zayed Sustainability Award 2017.

Beyond2020 represents Phase 2 of the initiative, having reached 8 countries, and impacted approximately 110,000 people during its first phase and debut year.

Another key issue that the Beyond2020 deployment set out to tackle was the long distance that villagers, especially women and children, had to travel to get the local water source. Without access to vehicles, they would have to travel across harsh terrain by foot, ranging between 2 to 4 kilometres, and often around delta banks most affected by water borne diseases. This includes crossing an invasive mesquite tree forest that poses health risks for humans and livestock.

Going ‘beyond generations’, ‘beyond borders’ and ‘beyond limits’, Beyond2020 offers critical, life-transforming solutions to a broader number of beneficiaries worldwide, providing tech for good and fostering development that is inclusive and sustainable.

The initiative seeks to continue championing Sheikh Zayed’s sustainability and humanitarian values by providing a unique platform for former Zayed Sustainability Prize winners and finalists to deploy their innovations in communities that need them the most and reach a much wider number of people.