After the deluge, Kerala flooded with controversies

Confusion prevails over relief aid donated to Kerala by GCC countries

India has made its stand clear that it will not accept international assistance in dealing with the aftermath of heavy floods in the southern state of Kerala.

An official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs had said, “The government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods in Kerala. In line with the existing policy, the government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome.”

Justifying the Union government's stand on foreign aid, Union minister of state for electronics and information technology, culture, and tourism Alphons Kannanthanam said, in refusing foreign aid for rehabilitation of the flood- hit state, the government has followed a 14year convention it “inherited” from previous governments of not accepting such assistance in the face of natural calamities.

“A policy decision was taken by the Manmohan Singh government in December, 2004 in the aftermath of the Tsunami and that policy has been continued with for the last 14 years. This is something we have inherited,” the minister said.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and CPI( M), had criticised the Centre asking it to remove obstacles in accepting foreign aid for rain- ravaged Kerala, including ` 700 crore offered by the UAE, even as government justified the stand.

Even as the controversy raged, officials at the UAE embassy in New Delhi said that no specific amount for financial aid to flood- ravaged Kerala has been finalised officially by the United Arab Emirates and there was no announcement on donation to the state.

UAE ambassador Ahmed Albannam, without mentioning financial aid, said his government only set up a national emergency committee to provide relief aid to people affected by flash floods in Kerala.

“The UAE has not officially announced any financial aid for Kerala flood relief. We have not conveyed anything to India on any assistance,” said a senior UAE official.

In another front, Kerala is witnessing a complete collapse of healthcare services following the flood. Medicine stocks of 481 primary health centres, 137 community health centres and 19 dispensaries were washed away by flood waters,

‘ Thanks’ written on the roof of a building to convey Kerala peoples gratitude to Indian Navy and Air Force for their rescue and relief operations towards the floodaffected people, at Chengamanad near Aluva, on Monday. The Indian Navy squadron 321 is known as the Angels and incidentally those serving at the southern naval command in Kochi refer to themselves as God’s Own Angels after the famous moniker coined in by the state’s tourism department.