TechnoPark, the Economic Zones World subsidiary, extended its commitment to sustainable water and energy solutions with its strong support of the 1001 Wells Project in Darfur, a mega United Nations initiative by the Boston University Centre for Remote Sensing under the direction of Dr. Farouk El Baz, the Centre’s Director.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by TechnoPark, the Boston University Centre for remote sensing and Concorde-Corodex Group on the sidelines of the IDA World Congress 2009.  Concorde-Corodex Group will donate a fully integrated mobile desalination plant, which normally costs about US$250,000, for the first well to be drilled in Darfur. The unit generates 100,000 litres of fresh water per day and has the potential to provide water for up to 4,000 refugees in the affected region.

The Darfur 1001 Wells Project is an ambitious humanitarian initiative to provide access to water to thousands of Darfur refugees living under grave conditions, including acute scarcity of water. Water shortages are widely considered the cause of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur region of northwestern Sudan.

Boston University’s Centre for Remote Sensing is identifying the site for the 1001 wells to be drilled in northern Darfur as part of the project, and will ensure the proper functioning of the desalination plant and that engineers and technicians are well trained.

TechnoPark will co-ordinate the deployment of the desalination plant and ensure its successful initiation.

Hamad Al Hashemi, Managing Director of Dubai Institute of Technology - TechnoPark said: “We are very proud to have played a part in this initiative. I commend all parties involved for their strong support and compassionate donations which will go a long way in bringing about sustainable drinking water to affected areas in Darfur.”

Concorde-Corodex Group’s desalination unit is a mobile container that desalinates brackish water and disinfects it for human use. The Dubai-based group will also supply the consumable chemicals and filters as well as train local technicians and engineers in the operation of the unit.

Firas Awad, General Manager, Concorde-Corodex Group, said: “While we are a corporate entity, we are very committed to humanitarian initiatives. Water is the best gift of all. It is as good as the gift of life. We are proud to support TechnoPark and Boston University in this humanitarian mission.”

Under the committed leadership of Dr. Farouk El Baz, who was presented the IDA World Water Masters Award at the IDA World Congress, scientists from Boston University’s Centre for Remote Sensing conducted extensive research, located and mapped the highest levels of an underground dry lake in northern Darfur. The International Desalination Association has decided to name the first of the 1001 wells in Darfur after Dr. Farouk El Baz in recognition of his untiring efforts to implement the project.