UAE also formed a national emergency committee to help the flood victims in Kerala.

The UAE has pledged $100 million to flood-ravaged Indian state of Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Floods in the south Indian state have left more than 350 dead and over one million people are sheltered in some 3,200 relief camps. After weeks of rescue operations, the state is focusing on relief and clean-up work.

Vijayan told a Press conference held in state capital of Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday said the Indian government has been informed that the UAE government would be providing $100 million for Kerala.

“We have to build a new Kerala. Malayalis from all corners of the world have offered assistance. Millions of those Malayalis treat the Gulf countries as their second home. Most families in the state also look at the Gulf nations the same way. The governments in the Gulf countries also reciprocate the same feelings towards Malayalis,” Vijayan said.

Read: UAE stands by our friends in Kerala: Ambassador to India

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He noted that Malayalis aren’t just a workforce in the Gulf countries but have over the years built good relations with locals.

“The governments are ready to help us in the same manner in which any Indian states would do. Many Gulf countries have promised support. The latest important announcement being the UAE government, sharing our grief, has shown willingness to support us,” Vijayan said.

Video: #UAESupportsKerala, worst flood in a century

The chief minister expressed his gratitude to the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. “I, on behalf of all citizens, express my sincere gratitude to the leaders.”

On Saturday, Sheikh Khalifa instructed the formation of a national emergency committee to provide relief assistance to Kerala. The committee is chaired by the Emirates Red Crescent and includes representatives from the UAE’s humanitarian organisations.

Meanwhile, community leader Adeeb Ahamed lauded the benevolence of the UAE leaders.

“We would like to show our warmest gratitude to the leaders of UAE who have shown the world the true meaning of compassion by being one of the first to reach out to Kerala in its time of need,” he said thanking the government for assistance of $100 million for relief efforts.

“The focus over the coming days will be on getting normalcy back into the lives of people. We should all stand in solidarity with the people of Kerala and contribute towards sending funds to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, which will be used for rehabilitation and other purposes. We should also work closely with authorities and provide manpower and materials wherever required,” the LuLu Financial Group managing director said.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

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