Did UAE drop plan to donate Rs 700-cr to flood hit-Kerala after Indian govt’s reluctance?

Newsroom, Aug 24: The government of United Arab Emirates, which had reportedly offered a massive financial aid towards the relief and rehabilitation works at flood-ravaged Kerala, has reportedly changed its mind following the reluctance shown by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government to accept the foreign aid.

The development comes amidst the debate over whether India should accept aid from foreign governments. Though Indian government was extremely grateful for the offers from foreign countries including UAE, it had decided to say "thank you" but "no thank you” and use its own resources for rehabilitation work. This does not, however, extend to private contributions pouring in from all over the world, given the huge diaspora from Kerala.

Meanwhile, some Indian media on Friday quoting UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna reported that there was no official announcement so far by the UAE on any specific amount as financial aid.

"The assessment of relief needed for the flood and aftermath is ongoing. Announcing any specific amount as financial aid, I don't think it is final, since it is still ongoing," Albanna was quoted as saying.

"All that has happened is that UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has formed a national emergency committee. The main goal was to look into sourcing out funds, aid material, medicines and other things for our friendly people and friends in Kerala, who have been hit by the unfortunate flood," he said.

Earlier this week, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the UAE has offered assistance of Rs 700 crore ($100 million) to aid relief efforts in the state ravaged by worst monsoon rains in close to a century.

Vijayan had informed the media about the UAE's aid and thanked them for their 'timely' help. "Today morning, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, informed our Prime Minister about their contribution for Kerala and this was conveyed to me by M.A. Yusuf Ali (who owns Lulu Supermarkets)," he had said.