India will not accept foreign financial assistance to deal with the flood situation in Kerala, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday (August 22).
Earlier, several countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, and Thailand announced financial assistance for the flood victims of Kerala. Meanwhile, India applauded the governments of those country email list countries for their willingness to extend a helping hand despite announcing that they would not accept foreign aid.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the Indian government will make all arrangements for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims in line with existing policies. However, assistance may be sought from non-resident Indians and international parties of Indian origin.
According to official data, the UAE has announced Rs 700 crore, Qatar Rs 350 crore and Maldives Rs 35 lakh as aid for the flood victims in Kerala. About 3 million Indians live in the UAE, of which 80 percent are from Kerala.
Floods caused by heavy rains have killed at least 237 people in southern India's Kerala since August 8. Lakhs of people have been evacuated to relief camps. It is being called the worst flood of the century. Overall, the state is in deep crisis.