Water campaign asks UAE residents to pay what they think water is worth

DUBAI- Mercy Corps and Red Crescent, working in partnership with the low sodium bottled water Arwa, today(July 20th) launched The Price of Water Campaign across the UAE. The campaign asks the UAE public to pay what they think water is worth to help improve the lives of people in the world’s toughest places.

For the next four weeks, Arwa water will be free of charge in participating outlets. Instead of the usual price, Arwa asks the public to pay the price that water is worth to them and encourages a donation to help improve the lives of Syrian refugees.The money raised will go directly to the establishment of water filtration systems that will provide safe, clean water to Syrian refugee children in Jordan.

Water is an unquestionably vital element for life. In Jordan alone, where the country’s aging water infrastructure leaks 76 billion liters per year, the influx of 600,000 Syrian refugees has further depleted the water supply, according to a Mercy Corps report released in March.

Arwa is enabling the public to donate money to Red Crescent through their website or on Etisalat by texting “Arwa” to 6881 to donate 10 dirhams.

For donations made on twitter, via @arwa_water Arwa will match the donation made to further aid Mercy Corps’ work.

To help make a difference to those in need, all Burger King outlets across the UAE will be giving away free Arwa water and providing the public with an opportunity to donate from 4^th August.

The public can also donate in participating Choithrams stores across the UAE on 24^th, 25^th and 26^th July.

In the spirit of partnership Rotana TV Group joins forces with Arwa as the exclusive media partner for the cause, bringing awareness of the campaign to the region.

The announcement was made with a press conference, with the support of A4 Space, Alserkal Avenue, utilizing their creative spaces.

“The flow of refugees into Jordan and other countries neighboring Syria is not slowing down, and access to safe, clean water is a pressing challenge,” Dina Sabbagh, Mercy Corps. “Eighty liters of water per day are needed to satisfy basic needs, but in areas hosting large refugee populations, the average supply has dropped to as low as 30 liters per day. We urge the shoppers in the UAE to consider how important water is to them and give generously to this campaign. The price of water really counts.”

Antoine Tayyar, Public Affairs and Communication Director for Coca-Cola Middle East said “The Coca-Cola Company is committed to enhancing personal well-being, building stronger communities and protecting the environment. The Price of Water Campaign aligns with these core values as it promises to help make a fundamental and necessary difference in thousands of people’s lives. We are honoured to be working alongside Mercy Corps and Red Crescent in order to make a greater impact.”

As a leading humanitarian agency, Mercy Corps works to save and improve the lives of millions of people around the world. The Price of Water Campaign in the UAE, in partnership with Red Crescent, is the UAE’s chance to help.

Arwa has been quenching thirsts in the Middle East since 2006. A product of the Coca-Cola Company, Arwa is produced and bottled according to the highest international safety and quality standards.