ABU DHABI 20 August 2018: The UAE has taken action, as per the directives of its wise leadership, to rescue the victims of the recent flooding in Kerala, and to create a new chapter of giving and humanitarian support that reinforces its close ties with India.
With the launch of this leading humanitarian and relief campaign, the UAE reinforces its global leadership in the field of humanitarian giving to top the list of humanitarian and development donors, which includes 147 countries in past years.
The Emirati humanitarian action involves many authorities and is not limited to providing financial aid, but assists in delivering assistance during humanitarian conflicts and offering direct interaction with local people, said Wam.
A campaign of official and popular interaction that included official institutions, citizens, residents and businessmen from India and the UAE to aid residents of Kerala has begun, in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Within hours, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation developed an urgent rescue campaign in implementation of the wise leadership’s directives, contributing donations of Dh10 million to support floods victims in Kerala.
Indian Donors
Among donors were Indian businessman Yusuf Ali, owner and the Director of the Lulu Commercial Group, who is from Kerala. He donated Dh5 million. Also, Dr. BR Shetty, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NMC Specialist Hospital, donated Dh5 million in response to the efforts of the UAE to support the Indian Government’s efforts to assist floods victims.
Humanitarian initiatives from institutions and individuals are taking place to support the rescue efforts of the victims of the Kerala floods, and Sunny Varkey, founder and chairman of Gems Education, has also pledged to support the National Committee to Rescue Kerala with Dh5 million.
Additionally, a large number of people participated in the Volunteer Indian-Emirati medical team to provide treatment and prevention services to the people affected by the floods in Kerala, under the slogan “We Are All Following Zayed’s Footsteps”.
Also, employees in Al Etihad Cooperative Association launched the ” Zayed Giving Sons Parcels initiative to support Kerala floods victims, with parcels containing food and children’s requirements.
The Emirati humanitarian and rescue efforts received significant attention from India, whether on the official or popular level, as Narendra Mody, the Indian PM, praised these efforts through his official account on Twitter, and thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for providing aid to the flood victims in Kerala.
Kerala death toll rises to 357
The death toll from the worst flooding to hit India’s Kerala state in a century has jumped to 357, authorities said on Sunday, with losses to infrastructure estimated at some $3 billion.
“Since May 29, when the monsoon starts in Kerala, a total of 357 people have lost their lives until now,” a statement from the state’s information officer said,.
Some 353,000 people have taken shelter in 3,026 relief camps as thousands of army, navy and air force troops fan out to help those still stranded. Roads and 134 bridges have suffered damage, isolating remote areas in the hilly districts of the state which are worst affected.
UAE stands by our friends in Kerala: Ambassador to India
The United Arab Emirates has announced relief and assistance for the state of Kerala that is reeling under a massive natural calamity.
Speaking exclusively to ‘India Today’, Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of India said that the Emirates has formed a national emergency committee to provide relief assistance to people affected by flash floods in the Indian state of Kerala.
The committee will be chaired by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), and include representatives from UAE’s humanitarian organisations, he noted “UAE people and Indian people are one community. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced, we will stand with our friends in the hardship that the state of Kerala has gone through due to heavy rain and floods. We will stand and we will do whatever we can do.”
UAE has around three million Indians living and working there, of whom 80 per cent are from the state of Kerala.
Ambassador Al Banna said that they are waiting for the green signal from the concerned authorities to start relief and assistance work. “We are in touch with local authorities in Kerala and the federal authority (central government). We will coordinate with them and follow rules and regulations in India in providing aid, medical supplies and relief material,” he said.
Earlier, around 100 UAE nationals were rescued from different parts of Kerala and taken to Kochi from where they will either be airlifted or taken by bus to Thiruvananthapuram to be flown back to their country.
UAE has also created an emergency hotline for Keralites who have family in or travelling to Kerala.