UAE 'stands with Indian people' after Kerala floods, says Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed sends message of solidarity to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with India's prime minister Narendra Modi last year. Adnan Abidi / Reuters

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.

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:

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'Everything is lost:' Indian expatriates in UAE speak of flood devastation

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