- Home
- Middle East
- UAE
- UAE Press: It is vital to help restore the dignity of Keralites who have lost everything
UAE Press: It Is Vital To Help Restore The Dignity Of Keralites Who Have Lost Everything
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published August 20, 2018 | 01:30 PM
It is a powerful image that has reverberated around the world: a bereft mother sobs as she clutches a baby to her chest after Kerala’s worst floods in a century, grief writ large across her face, The National said in an editorial on Monday.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 20th Aug, 2018) It is a powerful image that has reverberated around the world: a bereft mother sobs as she clutches a baby to her chest after Kerala’s worst floods in a century, grief writ large across her face, The National said in an editorial on Monday.
"It is all the more poignant knowing the same scene of devastation has been replicated thousands of times over in India’s 13th most populous state, brought to its knees after heavy rains and fast-rising rivers flooded nearly all its districts. More than 350 people have died and more than 800,000 displaced in the unprecedented catastrophe.
"Thousands of terrified people are still stranded on rooftops, many without food and water. Some cynical shopkeepers have exploited the emergency by bumping up the price of basic supplies, causing protests and police intervention in some districts. Meanwhile more than 5,600 relief camps are providing temporary refuge as those taking shelter contemplate the possibility of returning to destroyed homes, having lost everything. Nor is the worst over, with warnings of worse weather to come," the Abu Dhabi-based daily added.
It went on to say that few can fail to be moved by the plight of those who have lost loved ones and whose lives and possessions have been wrecked. "But the devastating floods in Kerala have a particular resonance in the UAE, where three million Indians live and work, the majority from the southwestern state.
"Their hard work and dedication have been integral to the growth of this country. Many Keralites based here will be waiting anxiously for news of the missing or displaced, unable to trace them while communication lines are down.
Across the Gulf, up to 80 percent of Indian migrants hail from the state. It is critical in the coming weeks that support is offered to all those who are affected, whether that amounts to financial aid, donations of clothing and supplies or simply a listening ear for the grief-stricken. On a global scale, the flood-hit state will require a concerted international response to repair damage amounting to $2.7 billion," the newspaper continued.
"The UAE, the world’s biggest donor relative to income, was quick to respond to the clarion call. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was expeditious in forming an emergency committee to make aid arrangements. That reflects the spirit of giving that underscores Eid al-Adha, a time to think of those less fortunate, as well as the longstanding ties between India and the UAE. Numerous officials and politicians across India have also pledged to donate portions of their salary to Kerala. It is vital this momentum is not lost in the coming weeks when the news cycle changes but the needs of Keralites remain equally pressing.
"There will no doubt be queries over the coming weeks about whether anything could have been done to better prepare for such a disaster. Searing questions will be asked about why flood risk warnings dating back to 2011 were not heeded and acted upon. But for now, it is vital everything is done to help restore the dignity of Keralites who have lost everything," the English language daily concluded.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago