Water and juice for outdoor workers during the hot summer

Emirati women are constant partners in giving

ABU DHABI 24 July 2017: As part of the directives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the General Women’s Union has launched the “Irtewaa” initiative for the second consecutive year for workers who perform their jobs in the heat of the sun during summertime.

Noura Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Women’s Union, stated that this humanitarian initiative, which was adopted under H.H. Sheikha Fatima’s instructions for the second consecutive year in Abu Dhabi during hot weather conditions, had started a while ago and will continue for three months, said Wam.

She explained that the initiative aims to reduce the effects of summer heat on outdoor workers while under the sun. The General Women’s Union provides pure drinking water and cold juices during the peak hours of the day on a daily basis. She added that teams from the General Women’s Union organise the water distribution to the workers in hot weather conditions.

She also stressed that this is the second year that the General Women’s Union has run this campaign, which was successful last year, and it was well received by the workers affected by the three months of summer.

She clarified that the General Women’s Union had executed the Irtewaa campaign last year, in co-operation with Al Ain Distribution Company, which benefited over 2,000 workers. She added that over 3,000 bottles of pure water and 3,000 juice boxes were distributed, and the campaign had especially included construction workers, street cleaners, and those who maintain the civilised image of the city.

Al Suwaidi said this campaign has confirmed that the Emirati women are constant partners in giving, which is the theme provided by H.H. to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day this year, as part of the Year of Giving initiative that was launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Suwaidi stressed that H.H Sheikha Fatima is diligent in launching local and international humanitarian initiatives, with the aim of deepening the loyalty and sense of belonging of workers to the nation, so they can feel dedicated to its service, as well as to spread the spirit of co-operation and affection within the UAE community. Sheikha Fatima’s initiatives also aim to establish the meaning of giving and the values of solidarity and community mercy, as well as to provide continuous support and unlimited giving to all workers in the country and to assist those in need around the world, she added.

By Sheena Amos