Kerala floods: Indian NGO in US donates $10,000, Qatar announces Rs 34.89 crore financial aid

Funds for relief operations in flood-hit Kerala have been coming from across the border with Qatar providing financial aid of Rs 34.89 crores as well as an Indian non-profit organisation in America raising over US $10,000. 

Sewa International USA has raised over US $10,000 towards the flood relief in Kerela, where nearly 370 people have died in devastating floods and thousands have lost lives and have been rendered homeless, the organisation said in a statement.
 
Over 5,000 Sewa volunteers have fanned out distributing food packets and cooking kits, and are opening free kitchens and medical camps to help the flood affected.

"Given the immediate need for help, we decided to release USD 10,000 in our first tranche of funds toward flood relief. We are in regular contact with our India partner, and our volunteers are joining hands with other relief agencies to provide as much help as we can in this hour of need," Swadesh Katoch, Director Disaster Relief said.

On their Facebook page they have appealed Indian-Americans to open their hearts, and wallets and purses, to help us help the people in distress.

The Qatar Charity, through its representative in India, has launched emergency relief for those affected by the huge floods with a total value of half a million riyals during the first stage, the Gulf Times reported.

Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued a directive to allocate US $5 million (Rs. 34.89 crore) in aid of those affected by the floods that recently hit the southern Indian state of Kerala, to help provide shelter to those who lost their homes as a result of the humanitarian crisis, the daily reported.

Qatar's aid comes a day after the UAE ordered the formation of an emergency committee to provide relief to the victims hit by devastating rains and floods in the state of Kerala.

(With PTI inputs)