Can we confront water scarcity using more sustainable ways? A question that strongly imposes itself in an era of climate change threatening the Arab world's limited water resources, while water scarcity threatens to exacerbate drought crisis, desertification and environmental degradation.
In 2023, the NGO “Sylll” was launched. It is a Saudi NGO that merged between implementing projects of delivering water targeting humans, plants and animals, and contributing to preserve the environment and coping with the effects of climate change, leveraging the slogan “water and development”.
Speaking to “Green Arabic”, Abdullah Bin Rashed Al-Gharib, the CEO of the association, pointed out to a number of aims on which that association was launched including: Delivering water to houses and different organizations, utilizing and maintaining wells and dams, as well as holding workshops on water development and spreading the culture of conservation of water resources.
The delivery of water to the most vulnerable groups is at the forefront of the association's concerns. Al-Gharib refers to the association conducting a comprehensive study of community needs, through the implementation of dozens of projects for the neediest families, as well as participating in the payment of water bills for those in need.
In August 2024, “Sylll” NGO received initial approval from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre for Overseas Work, as well as a "Distinguished NGO" medal from the national donation platform.
credit: SPA
The CEO drew attention to the association's efforts in maintaining the sustainability of its activities and participating in Saudi Arabia's environmental protection efforts.
Saudi Green Initiative
“Sylll” association joined other associations participating in the Saudi Green Initiative that was launched by the kingdom in 2021; Its targets include: The development of vegetation throughout the Kingdom in a "carefully considered" manner which contributes to addressing the phenomenon of desertification.
Through the development project “Enmaa”, the association participated in irrigation of nature reserves, public parks, parks and open spaces, irrigation of road and street trees, drawing on state-of-the-art irrigation techniques to ensure the preservation of protected areas, as well as reducing loss of water used.
credit: SPA
"Al-Gharib" indicates that the association has focused, in close cooperation with stakeholders, on the implementation of sustainable irrigation techniques aimed at reducing water consumption and increasing productivity, which supports environmental development and reflects the association's commitment to the ambitious vision of a more sustainable future.
The number of trees planted in the Kingdom since 2021, as part of Saudi Green Initiative, has reached over 95 million, and the rehabilitated areas have exceeded 110 thousand hectares, according to the Initiative's official website.
In preparation for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification "COP 16", hosted by the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this year, the NGO “Sylll” recently participated in the project "Strengthening Community Participation at (COP16)", launched by the Morooj Foundation for Vegetation Development, which included the exchange of experiences among the various participating organizations.
Credit: Sylll Ofiicial Page
The CEO noted the association's recognition of "the importance of regional and global environmental conferences and summits as strategic platforms that provide great opportunities for networking and expanding environmental impact."
Innovation in the face of water scarcity
The association's innovations include air water production technology, a technology based on the conversion of moisture and water vapor stuck in the air into water. Last September, it signed an agreement with a company to sponsor a Saudi device used to implement that technology.
Al-Gharib sees that this technology may be an essential part of water strategies in the Arab area with proper support from different governments and investors.
combating waste
Through another project, the association has worked to reduce water loss by taking advantage of waste water during mobilization operations by redirecting it to irrigate parks and nature reserves, as well as contributing to the crisis of plastic waste that threatens the environment by recycling it, and turning it into reusable materials.
Credit: Sylll Ofiicial Page
Plastic waste, which lingers for thousands of years without degradation, causes considerable environmental damage, accumulating in the environment and threatening or accidentally ingested by living organisms.
The association distributed a series of containers in various regions, to collect empty plastic packaging and subsequently utilize them for its projects, according to the Foundation's official website.
