Government Likely to Reject Foreign Help for Kerala Floods Relief

Centre has reportedly taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation.

The government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala.

(Photo: AP)

The government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala, official sources said.

The government has reportedly taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered $100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance for flood relief operation in Kerala.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Modi and made the offer for assistance, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram.

Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE out of which 80 percent are from Kerala.

The government of Maldives has also decided to donate $50,000 (Rs 35 lakh) for flood affected people in Kerala.

It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. However, sources said India is unlikely to accept the assistance.

The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless.

Tharoor Knocks UN’s Doors For “Consultation”, Centre Rejects Help

A day after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted that he was in Geneva to seek “consultation” from the United Nations (UN) for the Kerala floods relief, the External Affairs Ministry informed UN that the Indian government was able to manage the relief activities in the flood-hit state, Firstpost reported, citing local media.

Tharoor on Monday, 20 August had tweeted about his Geneva visit.

Tharoor had also said that he was in Geneva with close consultation with CM Pinarayi Vijayan and the Chief Minister’s office.

(With inputs from Firstpost)