UAE’s 20by2020 initiative provides safe drinking water to three Cambodian villages

Three Cambodian villages have access to better water after the installation of new water purifying technology as part of 20by2020, which is the UAE-driven humanitarian initiative of Zayed Sustainability Prize.

Following the recent deployment of solar-powered light systems in susceptible communities in Jordan and Egypt, 20by2020 has progressed with five water fountains.

The five water fountains benefited 4,400 villagers of Ses Salab, Kampong Phrah and Chhnok Trou.
The initiative will help in fighting waterborne diseases and other health issues arising from contaminated water.

Additionally, it will give new avenues for better hygiene due to the significance of handwashing, which is essential in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Zayed Sustainability Prize director general 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.”

Al Jaber further added: “By streamlining efforts with the 20by2020 partners to achieve a more sustainable world, we can extend the impact of the inspiring humanitarian and international development vision of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while reinforcing the country’s role in humanitarian aid and progress towards sustainability.”

In Cambodia, the water purifying technology installed has been developed by French firm Safe Water Cube.

In 2019, Zayed Sustainability Prize selected Safe Water Cube as a finalist under Water Category.
This deployment in Cambodia removes viruses and bacteria that lead to diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis, from surface water and make it drinkable.

This technology can purify the surface water from up to 1,000l of water per hour with no power, maintenance or chemical needed.

Royal Government of Cambodia’s Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology and the Tonle Sap Authority chairman Lim Kean stated: “We welcome the 20by2020 initiative whose contribution meets one of the strategic objectives of the Tonle Sap Authority to improve access to safe drinking water in the remote areas around the Tonle Sap Great Lake.”

In Cambodia, the availability of safe drinking water is a key problem. Over three million people do not have access to safe water and six million do not have provision to improved sanitation facilities.