ASEAN diplomats stand for flood-stricken Kerala

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ASEAN diplomats stand for flood-stricken Kerala

Dubai - The donations will fund the purchase and distribution of relief items.

by

Angel Tesorero

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Published: Mon 20 Aug 2018, 5:42 PM

Last updated: Tue 21 Aug 2018, 12:48 AM

Answering the call for international solidarity, UAE-based diplomats from Southeast Asian countries have called on their respective citizens on Monday to rally and provide concrete help for the people of the flood-stricken Indian state of Kerala.
The respective consuls general of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia - whose countries are the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - said any material and financial support will count to help the affected residents especially after authorities expressed fear of a disease outbreak in emergency camps where around two million Keralites are accommodated, following the state's worst floods in almost a century.
Malaysian consul-general Yubazlan Yusof said: "We are always encouraging Malaysian expats to help people in need, especially those affected by the floods in Kerala. As we celebrate Eid Al Adha today (August 21), I call on the Malaysian expats in Dubai to extends our prayers and moral support to those affected by the devastating floods in India."
"Malaysia and India share similar experiences as both our countries are frequently hit with torrential rains and flash floods annually. Our thoughts, condolences and prayers are with those who lost family and friends," he added.
Singapore consul-general Low Pit Chen  said that "the Singapore Red Cross has launched a public fundraising appeal in Singapore and has pledged US$50,000 in humanitarian for Kerala."
The donations will fund the purchase and distribution of relief items, including water and sanitation services, tarpaulin sheets for shelter, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns, bed sheets and clothing, according to the Singaporean diplomat.
He added that Singaporeans can send online donations via POSB/DBS Internet Banking and PayLah! to Singapore Red Cross Society and indicate the money will go to South India Floods 2018.
Solidarity and prayers are also being extended by Thailand consul-general Unnop Buranasate. "I have personally expressed my deep sympathies to our Indian staff and friends of Kerala origins whom I've met in Dubai. It must have been the worst experience for them in 100 years," he said.
"The Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai is ready to join hands and play our part in helping out the affected people in Kerala. Will pray heart for them during our meditations too," added Buranasate.
Indonesian consul-general Ridwan Hassan added: "We strongly support the call to provide relief assistance to our brothers and sisters in Kerala affected by the floods."
Filipino senior diplomats, meanwhile, have raised the issue of climate change and noted the increasingly severe weather condition that is putting the lives of hundreds of millions of people at risk across the developing countries of Asia. 
Philippine consul-general Paul Raymund Cortes has also expressed his solidarity. He said: "The Filipino people extend their sympathies to the people of Kerala as they battle the extreme flooding. As a country that experiences similar natural calamities, the Philippines knows all too well how important it is to be assured that the rest of the global community can set aside political and cultural differences to help fellowmen in need. We join in prayer that the people of Kerala will stay resilient as they rebuild their community and their lives."
Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, chargé d' affairs at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, also told Khaleej Times: "I am aware that some Filipino community leaders, in their personal capacity, are calling for support for those affected by floods in Kerala. As a county often afflicted by typhoons, we empathize with our friends from Kerala. I hope our fellow Filipinos answer the call for help just as many of us have received support when we were in a similar dire situation in back in 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda), one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, battered central Philippines."
Community leaders and corporate executives have also expressed their support.  Filipino expat community leader, Joel Foronda, said that they have been coordinating with the Dubai office of the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and the Emirates Red Crescent to gather support for Kerala.
Engr Elmer Casao, chairman of the Bayanihan Council (Filipino community) in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, for his part, said: "We are deeply saddened by the effect of the floods caused by heavy rains in Kerala. We deeply appreciate UAE government's efforts in providing assistance and relief to Kerala. We will be in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy and will make sure that the Filipino Community will also provide assistance to the affected Keralites." 
"During these trying times, every help, may it be big or small, can make a big difference especially to the families who were directly affected by the floods," added Casao, who leads the Bayanihan Council which has 66 Filipino community organisations working under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
In the private sector, Art Los Banos, Tristar Corporate Communications Manager representing its CSR and Recreation and Happiness Committees, said: "We are organising our own South India Rehabilitation Campaign for the flood victims in the states of Kerala and Karnataka (Kodagu).  Our objective is to collect monetary donations from staff, family and friends starting August 23 until September 3. The amount to be generated will be sent to the respective states' Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund for rehabilitation works."
"We will send the collected amount to the states of Kerala and Karnataka, specifically Kodagu. Our focus is to help in the rehabilitation as more than 60 per cent of our staff are Indians in our UAE offices and operations," he added. 
Vagelyn Tumbaga Federico, director of human resources at Dusit Thani Dubai, said: "It's been a norm already in our hotel to care as part of our corporate values. We normally extend support by giving voluntary contributions and the department who give the highest contribution is recognized in our town hall meeting. We also sell our valuable lost and found items and the proceeds will be given to charitable organisations."
angel@khaleejtimes.com 


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