The UAE “stands with the Indian people” following the floods that wrought devastation across Kerala, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has said.
In a tweet, Sheikh Mohammed said he spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the floods in the southern Indian state.
“My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We stand with the Indian people. Our relief and charitable institutions are helping with relief efforts,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed.
More than one million people have been displaced by the floods, which are the worst the state has experienced for 100 years.
More than 400 people have been killed and about 50,000 homes have been destroyed as a result.
Leaders in the UAE have called on people to support Kerala and both individuals and companies, including Universal Hospital in the UAE, which organised a flight with about 41 tonnes of aid and equipment, have stepped up to help.
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Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel transport children and elderly people in a dinghy through flood waters during a rescue operation in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, in Kerala, on August 19, 2018. AFP -
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel carry a dinghy during a rescue operation for flood victims in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Rescue personnel carry animals and elderly people to safety from flood waters during a rescue operations at Mala village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel plan a rescue mission in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Rescue officials belonging to state and central authorities discuss their rescue plans for flood victims at Mala village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Vehicles lie abandoned at a car showroom and service station after flood waters receded at Chalakudi Taulk in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Vehicles lie abandoned at a car showroom and service station after flood waters receded at Chalakudi Taulk in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel ferry children and eldery in a dinghy through flood waters during a rescue operation in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel carry children on their shoulders through flood waters during a rescue operation in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel transport children and elderly people in a dinghy through flood waters during a rescue operation in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
The carcass of a cow lies on the side of a road where an eldery woman is carried to safety from flood waters during a rescue operation by Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel in Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Cattle nudges the carcass of another cow lying dead on the side of a road while a family waits for relief following floods at Annamanada village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Rescue personnel carry animal and elderly people to safety from flood waters during a rescue operation in Mala village in Thrissur District, Kerala. AFP -
Indian volunteers from the Haridwar Mitra Mandal Charitable Trust load water aid to be shipped to flood-hit Kerala, in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Indian volunteers from the Haridwar Mitra Mandal Charitable Trust load aid packets to be shipped to flood-hit Kerala, in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Indian volunteers from the Haridwar Mitra Mandal Charitable Trust load aid packets to be shipped to flood-hit Kerala, in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Indian volunteers from the Haridwar Mitra Mandal Charitable Trust load aid packets to be shipped to flood-hit Kerala, in Ahmedabad. AFP
On Monday, the Indian ambassador to the UAE issued a plea for cash donations rather than supplies.
The Emirates Red Crescent, which is at work in Kerala, is co-ordinating the fund-raising in the UAE.
And UAE-based Indian tycoons have pledged tens of millions of dirhams to help rebuild communities, including Kerala-born Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and managing director of UAE-based VPS Healthcare, who made a donation of Dh26 million.
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Read more:
More than a million people in India flood relief camps
'Everything is lost:' Indian expatriates in UAE speak of flood devastation
Kerala floods crisis 'extremely grave' — in pictures
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