Thiruvananthapuram: The UAE government has offered Rs 700 crore for flood relief in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the crown prince of UAE and deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his government’s decision to provide relief to Kerala. This was disclosed by the crown prince to Lulu Group chairman Yusuff Ali when the latter went to wish him on the eve of Eid.
The chief minister said the support offered by the UAE government had given the confidence that people all over the world were with us.
The Gulf countries were the second home for Malayalis and they shared a special relation. The people in Gulf countries were equally concerned and worried about the disaster here, he said.
The UAE government understands that people of Kerala are in deep distress because of the disaster. On behalf of the people of the state, Mr Vijayan thanked UAE president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, vice-president and prime minister of UAE Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Meanwhile, the Centre has reportedly expressed its reluctance to accept all foreign aids including the one from the UAE.
