‘Fund-raising for flood relief must follow UAE laws’
ABU DHABI: Any organisation or individual engaged in fund-raising to support the relief efforts in Kerala must abide by the UAE laws, warned Ambassador of India to the UAE Navdeep Suri.
Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Suri drew attention towards reports that certain community organisations and individuals were engaged in fund-raising to support the relief efforts in Kerala.
He advised such organisations and individuals to abide by local laws that Clearly DEINE THE organisations that ARE authorised to engage in fund-raising.
Welcoming the enthusiasm of community organisations and individuals in collecting various relief materials for dispatch to Kerala, Suri highlighted the feedback from the Government of Kerala advising against dispatch of such materials. He pointed out that the Government of Kerala has said that any shortages of relief materials are temporary and localised and there is abundant availability from states neighbouring Kerala.
The Ambassador also expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the concern expressed by the UAE leadership.
He said that the UAE leaders’ messages of support at this crucial juncture relect THE true DEPTH of INDIA-UAE relations and also highlight the age-old bonds between the people of India and the people of UAE. Earlier, Ambassador Suri and Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul had a detailed meeting with representatives of about 30 major Indian community associations to discuss the situation in Kerala.
He advised the Uae-based Indian community associations that all contributions, large or small, should be made directly to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. He welcomed the decision of exchange houses to waive off remittance fees to this Fund.
In response to the interest shown by some participants to volunteer their expertise for the reconstruction efforts in Kerala, Suri asked the Director of NORKA to establish a portal which would receive CVS of doctors, engineers, electricians, technicians and others who are willing to volunteer their time along with the tentative window in which they can go to Kerala and offer community service.
This information could be matched with the reconstruction programmes undertaken by the Government of Kerala.
Some community associations pointed out that their members are stuck in Kerala because their passports have BEEN DAMAGED In THE loods AND they may be delayed in returning to the UAE since they have to obtain fresh passports and visas. A similar issue was also raised with regard to possible delay in return of students for the school session. Ambassador Suri promised to take up both issues with the relevant UAE authorities.