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QNA
Doha
The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has directed that $5 million be allocated to provide relief to the flood victims in the southern State of Kerala in friendly India. The aid will be used to provide shelter for those who have lost homes in the flood.
Qatar Charity will provide an emergency relief aid of QR500,000 for those affected by the floods in Kerala as the first part of its support plan, the charity has announced. QC has also launched a fund-raising campaign targeting more than QR4 million to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of 60,000 people hit by the natural calamity.
According toa report by Qatar Tribune's Santhosh chandran, thousands of expatriates from Qatar who are on vacation in the state have been stranded in their monsoon-ravaged homeland.
The continuing flood in the state has spoilt their travel plans, preventing them from rejoining their jobs in Qatar.
According to leading community organisations affiliated to Indian embassy in Qatar, more that 100,000 Kerala expatriates, including children, are now in Kerala for vacation.
When contacted by Qatar Tribune, an expatriate Anwar Hameed Azis, who is on vacation along with his family in Kerala, said,"I have to rejoin my Doha office on Thursday. But my departure airport has been shut due to flooding. I can't go to any other airport as the road communication also blocked due to flood."
Many expats have lost their properties, including houses, to the floods, which have also made lands unusable in several areas.
Abdul Gafoor, who is on vacation and now stays in a relief camp in central Kerala, said,"I can't even imagine the condition of my new house. My two-storey house is submerged under water. I am not sure whether it is still there or washed away. My family lost everything except clothes that we wear now."
Socio-cultural organisations in Qatar have taken steps to support the expatriates who are on vacation. Abdul Khadar, member of such an organisation, said,"We are considering all possible ways to support our friends in Kerala."
Ex-president of Indian Cultural Centre K Girish Kumar said,"Qatari citizens and other expatriates have come forward to support the people of Kerala."
