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Community groups in UAE stop collecting funds, relief for Kerala victims

Abu Dhabi - Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri urged residents to donate cash rather than supplies.

Indian community associations are no longer collecting funds or relief supplies for the flood-affected state of Kerala.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri on Monday urged residents to donate cash rather than supplies. He also noted that only authorised organisations should raise funds. Suri also met representatives of Indian community organisations.
The India Social and Cultural Centre stopped accepting financial contributions at its counter. The ISC is also not receiving any more relief materials for shipment to Kerala.
 
"As per the directives of authorities and as advised by Indian mission, contributions by individuals and organisations should be deposited directly into the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund through online transfers or by using the facilities of exchange houses authorised to do transactions," acting president Jayaram Rai M. said.
"This is following the advice from the Chief Secretary of Kerala that there are no immediate requirements for more essentials to be shipped to Kerala and contributions shall be made in form of cash only."
14,000 kg cargo shipped
The group Malayalee Samajam Abu Dhabi shipped 14,330kg of new dresses to Kerala on Monday. However, the association has decided against collecting any further materials.
"We will follow the new guidelines. We will not collect or send supplies to Kerala. Also, we are not collecting any funds as there are strict local regulations in place." Malayalee Samajam president T.A. Nasar said.
Meanwhile, other registered associations like the Kerala Social Centre and Indian Islamic Centre will hold meetings to discuss future course of action.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com