There have been a series of school fires in the country in recent years, many of them which have turned out to be arson
On Thursday, All Kerala College Alumnis Federation (Akcaf) volunteer group announced partnering in an one-month aid initiative with the Emirates Red Crescent.
The collection drive will start today at Grand Mall in Sharjah and Satwa in Dubai. It will continue at 29 malls and hypermarket chains across the UAE from Ajman to Abu Dhabi.
The inaugural ceremony in Sharjah will see a special song to show solidarity to the victims affected by Kerala floods. The rest of the locations will be announced in the coming days, officials said.
Paul Joseph, managing director of Arabian Automobile Association, told the media that the funds collected will be used in purchasing materials that will help rebuild Kerala. "Detergents, blankets and food are necessary items that people need. We have had good response from the public who wish to donate and help people in Kerala," said Joseph.
The Akcaf group has been actively involved in the flood relief work in Kerala, especially the ongoing clean-up drive after the floods.
Mohammed Al Zarooni, director of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in Dubai, said the UAE government has ordered immediate aid for people in Kerala. "Our teams are working there. Since the administrative and relief situation in India made it difficult to ship materials, we mostly send money and our teams buy the required items from local stores," said Al Zarooni. "We have donated clothes, blankets and food to schools that some people have taken as relief camps."
As part of the initiative, the ERC gave donation boxes to the volunteering group to collect funds and relief items. So far, the charity organisation has collected over 25 tonnes of food and clothes in warehouses, which await to be shipped for the relief of people in Kerala.India did not reject foreign aid
He said the ERC will ship items stored in their warehouses in Jebel Ali as soon as they get the confirmation from the Indian authorities.
"We are also waiting for the final report from the UAE Embassy in Kerala to tell us what people need," said Al Zarooni.
"We work before, during and after the disaster. Now, we are at a situation where the disaster happened and we want to give the right resources that will aid people and help them get their life back."
Volunteers from the ERC, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment and Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation are on grounds in Kerala to provide aid and relief for people impacted by the flood.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had called for immediate aid to people in Kerala, for which a committee was formed under the ERC.
Al Zarooni said the ERC met with other charity organisations like the Dar Al Ber Society and Bait Al Khair under the umbrella of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department to provide relief items.
Al Zarooni recalled Sheikh Mohammed's statement that Kerala people are part of the UAE success story. "We are one community living together and we should stand for one another," he said.
Indian philanthropists extend help
Indian businessmen have donated millions of dirhams to the UAE's relief campaign to help the victims of flooding in the southern state of Kerala.
Yusuff Ali M A, owner of the Lulu Hypermarket chain and B R Shetty, founder of NMC Healthcare, each gave Dh5million to the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
Sunny Varkey, the founder of school operator Gems Education, also pledged Dh5 million to help the people of his home state.
The community is urged to take part in rebuilding Kerala, an initiative that reflects the UAE's approach to giving that's deeply rooted in the Emirati society.How to donate to the ERC
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Dubai Islamic Bank:
> AE620240003520520534401
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> 3441 for Dh10
> 3443 for Dh50
> 3446 for Dh100
> 3449 for Dh200
Etisalat
> 2441 for Dh10
> 2443 for Dh20
> 2446 for Dh100
> 2449 for Dh200
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
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