As Kerala grapples with the unprecedented flooding, a group of Sikh volunteers from Khalsa Aid International, the UK based philanthropist group came to the aid of victims of the calamity.
The volunteers, who reached Kochi on Friday, organised langar for the flood-hit people with the help of Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Thevara. They have set up a relief camp where meals are being served to 3,000 people.
Kerala Floods : We are responding
— Khalsa Aid (@Khalsa_Aid) August 19, 2018
"We are facing huge challenges as more heavy rains are forecast in #Kerala and the flood waters are rising." Amarpreet Singh, Khalsa Aid India.
We are despatching another team from Panjab to Kerala. #KeralaFloods @amarpreet1313 #skynews pic.twitter.com/At4WmwsRUh
Everytime there is a humanitarian crisis I hav seen @Khalsa_Aid go in there. Jst came to know they hav made their presence felt in #KeralaFloodRelief work too.U hav found a place in our hearts. Thank u very much for ur presence & work. Pic: Community kitchen at RSC #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/DRlZOOYxtR
— The C0ncerned Indi@n (@C0ncrndIndian) August 20, 2018
Everytime there is a humanitarian crisis I hav seen @Khalsa_Aid go in there. Jst came to know they hav made their presence felt in #KeralaFloodRelief work too.U hav found a place in our hearts. Thank u very much for ur presence & work. Pic: Community kitchen at RSC #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/DRlZOOYxtR
— The C0ncerned Indi@n (@C0ncrndIndian) August 20, 2018
Gurdwara Sahib members and Khalsa Aid volunteers are cooking and serving hot meals to those affected by the floods.
“Our team is currently at Assisi Vidyaniketan Public School, Perumpilly in Kochi and serving langar to 3,000 people. We have adopted this camp. More volunteers will reach there soon,” said Amarpreet Singh, Asia Pacific managing director of Khalsa Aid.
Khalsa Aid have also opened an international fundraiser for the Kerala flood victims.
KERALA FLOODS APPEAL ..... DONATE IN RUPEES IN INDIA .... Donate ONLINE: For donations within India https://www.onlinesbi.com/prelogin/icollecthome.htm?corpID=897678
Posted by Khalsa Aid International on Friday, 17 August 2018
A group of Sikh volunteers from Khalsa Aid International, have stepped forward to help Kerala flood victims.@Khalsa_Aid #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloods2018 #kerala pic.twitter.com/LrKN8tqExh
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 20, 2018
INDIAN-ORIGIN TYCOONS IN UAE DONATE RS. 125 MILLION FOR KERALA FLOODS
Indian-origin billionaire businessmen based in the UAE have announced Rs. 125 million donation for flood relief operations in the deluge-hit Kerala, according to a media report.
164 people have lost their lives in Kerala since August 8 due to floods caused by rains and landslides, while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.
The state is facing its worst flood in 100 years with 80 dams opened and all rivers in spate. A body blow has been dealt to the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit.
Kerala-born businessman Yusuff Ali MA, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group, has announced a Rs. 50 million donation for rain-battered Kerala, Khaleej Times reported today.
KP Hussain, chairman of Fathima Healthcare Group, has donated Rs. 50 million. He said that Rs. 10 million out of Rs. 50 million will directly go to the Kerala Chief Minister's relief fund, while the rest will be allocated for medical relief aid, the Gulf paper added.
Mr Hussain said that his group has coordinated with the state's health secretary to send volunteers from its medical faculty. This includes doctors and paramedics being sent to relief camps.
"As per our geological studies and today's condition in Kerala, the stagnant water will be drained much later than expected. Hence, there is a high possibility of more deaths in the event of spread of various diseases like fever, dysentery, gastric issues, skin disorders etc," he was quoted as saying by the paper.
"This situation needs to be handled very seriously and emergency treatment has to be provided with immediate effect. As recommended by the public health secretary, we have received the list of medicines which will be supplied to the relief camps."
Other UAE-based businessmen had pledged amounts to help in flood relief operations.
India-born billionaire BR Shetty, chairman of Unimoni and UAE Exchange, had pledged Rs. 20 million.
Azad Moopen, Indian physician and philanthropist, and founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, pledged Rs. 5 million. The group also announced that it had mobilised a disaster support team of over 300 volunteers.
Yesterday, the United Arab Emirates prime minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum came out in support for deluge-hit Kerala and ordered the formation of an emergency committee to provide relief to the victims hit by devastating rains and floods in the state.
The Indian community in the UAE, numbering 2.6 million, constitutes 30 per cent of the total population. It is the largest expatriate community in the country.
SHAH RUKH KHAN'S MEER FOUNDATION DONATES RS. 21 LAKH FOR KERALA RELIEF
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's welfare organisation Meer Foundation has contributed Rs. 21 lakhs towards relief work in flood-ravaged Kerala.
Meer Foundation has made a donation to the Government of Kerala's Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund, working towards the welfare of victims of floods in the state, according to a statement.
Meer Foundation, which has been named after the actor's father, has been working actively with acid attack victims as well as cancer patients.
@resulp Sir, it’s the Duty & Dharma of each one of us to stand by our brothers & sisters in times of need. May Allah bless each & everyone in Kerala.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 18, 2018
Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty took to Twitter and expressed gratitude towards the actor.
"Thank you so much @iamsrk me personally and the people of kerala are indebted to you for your generosity and quick action... Respect," Mr Pookutty wrote.
To which Shah Rukh Khan replied, "@resulp Sir, it's the duty and dharma of each one of us to stand by our brothers and sisters in times of need. May Allah bless each and everyone in Kerala."
AMITABH BACHCHAN, BOLLYWOOD URGE PEOPLE TO HELP FLOOD-HIT KERALA
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has expressed concern over the "frightening" situation in Kerala where 197 people have lost their lives and 36 are missing since August 8 due to floods and landslides.
The deadliest deluge in Kerala in close to a century has battered the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit. The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter and urged people to contribute to relief fund for the state.
T 2904 - The devastation caused by incessant rain in Kerala is frightening !
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 18, 2018
Hundreds and thousands of our sisters and brothers are in deep anguish ! We must do all we can to contribute as much as we can towards the needs of the people of Kerala ..
I have .. you must too ..🙏
"The devastation caused by incessant rain in Kerala is frightening! Hundreds and thousands of our sisters and brothers are in deep anguish!" Mr Bachchan wrote. "We must do all we can to contribute as much as we can towards the needs of the people of Kerala... I have... You must too..." he added.
#KeralaFloods | Naib Subedar Manbar Singh of 13 Garhwal Rifles and his team carried out rescue operation in 8-10 feet deep water for five hours and rescued 536 persons in Kerala.
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 19, 2018
Follow updates here: https://t.co/O54fauOeXy#KeralaReliefFund #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/CL6cp5JmmB
Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma, among others also tweeted support for the state and its people. Hrithik Roshan wrote, "The situation in Kerala is critical. Help is required. Please let's come forward and do whatever we can. Our friends in Kerala need us right now. I have contributed a sum and I request you all to do whatever you can. God bless #KeralaFloodRelief."
#KeralaFloods | Naib Subedar Manbar Singh of 13 Garhwal Rifles and his team carried out rescue operation in 8-10 feet deep water for five hours and rescued 536 persons in Kerala.
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 19, 2018
Follow updates here: https://t.co/O54fauOeXy#KeralaReliefFund #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/CL6cp5JmmB
Actor Sidharth Malhotra said he has contributed to the relief fund for the state and wrote, "Let's all get together and show our unified strength for Kerala. Contribute however you can and donate any amount here. Pray for everyone in distress. #KeralaFlood." as he tweeted the link of Chief Minister's Relief Fund. "Kerala is on red alert and Habitat for Humanity India is helping those who are stranded! I urge everyone to help those in need..." Jacqueline Fernandez tweeted. Swara Bhasker shared a message on her Instagram page and also urged people to donate for the cause.
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) August 18, 2018
"The state of #Kerala in #India has been devastated by floods. Hundreds have died and bodies are still being recovered. 600,000 people are living in shelters. Please donate and help #savekerala #keralafloods," she wrote. "Karwaan" actor Dulquer Salmaan tweeted a poster with emergency numbers to help the people. "Urging and requesting the #nationalmedia to focus and draw attention to #keralafloods! Each day is looking more grim for millions," he said.
