UAE businessman donates Dh26m to rebuild flood-hit Kerala
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil said the money would be used to rebuild vital infrastructure in his flood-stricken home state
A UAE businessman has pledged Dh26 million to support the rebuilding process in his home state of Kerala – after the worst monsoon in a century left a trail of devastation.
More than 400 people have died and hundreds of thousands left homeless after the Indian state was hit by floods.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder of VPS Healthcare, vowed to help his fellow Keralites emerge from their darkest hour.
Roads will need to be rebuilt, along with water management facilities, health centres and schools – and Dr Vayali is determined to play a leading role in the rebuilding process.
“This money will be spent throughout the state of Kerala,” Dr Vayalil, 41, told The National. “We will work with local authorities to determine where this support is needed most.”
VPS Healthcare will be employing specialist contractors to complete the work, and is already working with consultants to ensure the money is spent in areas where it is needed most.
Although shocked by the extent of damage on a recent visit, Dr Vayalil hailed the response to rescue efforts from Keralites and the global community.
“It is encouraging to see how communities are pulling together to help one another, and to see how strong the human spirit is,” he said.
In a separate mission, VPS Healthcare is funding a relief flight of medical supplies, 2,000 water filter systems, clothes and food due to leave from Abu Dhabi this week.
Flights in and out of Kochi have been severely disrupted, hampering relief efforts.
A prominent Indian businessman has donated Dh26 million to support Kerala, as a plea was made for people to send cash rather than supplies to the flood-stricken state.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, the founder and managing director of VPS Healthcare, has vowed to help rebuild vital infrastructure in the worst-hit areas of Kerala, where torrential rains have caused widespread devastation and killed hundreds.
Dr Vayalil said the money would be used in restoration efforts such as rebuilding roads, schools and health centres.
“This money will be spent throughout the state of Kerala,” said Dr Vayalil, 41.
“We will work with the local authorities to determine where this financial support is needed the most. Certain areas have already been identified for immediate help.
“We will use this money through an oversight committee with the support of people in Kerala who are in the public domain.”
VPS Healthcare will employ specialist contractors to complete the work, and is already working with consultants to ensure the money is spent in the areas where it is needed most.
Dr Vayalil said he was encouraged to see people from all over the world coming together to support Kerala.
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also collected more than Dh10m for the aid effort, thanks to donations from Indian business leaders.
The Kerala cash boost comes as the Indian Ambassador to the UAE issued a call for residents to donate money rather than supplies to aid the ailing state.
Ambassador Navdeep Suri said that Kerala now has sufficient supplies thanks to the generosity of people from all over the world – but more money is needed to bolster the immense rebuilding process to come.
“As of now there are enough supplies to handle the situation. There is no shortage of things in India,” he said. “The most important shared feedback that I have received from the government of Kerala has been: ‘Do not send relief missions’.
“Don’t look at Kerala as an area in isolation.
“Going through the effort and expense of collecting things here, sending them to Kochi, and then delivering them to the areas where the big damage is – that doesn’t make sense.”
“Sending money is more efficient and useful. This is what the government of Kerala has shared with me.”
He said people should take advantage of initiatives led by a number of money exchange operators, such as Lulu and UAE Exchange, allowing people to send any amount to Kerala free of charge.
“Even a figure as low as Dh50 can be sent, so if a blue-collar worker says ‘I can’t do more’, there is nothing to stop him, it is free of charge.”
The ambassador cautioned well-intentioned residents not to fall foul of the UAE’s strict charity laws.
He said he had been told of people and groups engaged in unauthorised fund-raising activities, which is prohibited under UAE law.
“We don’t want people to get into trouble and end up breaking laws, because we are very respectful and mindful of local laws,” he said.
Mr Suri has also requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers a grace period for Indian expatriates whose residency visas may expire while they are stranded in Kerala.
“Some community associations pointed out that their members are stuck in Kerala because their passports have been damaged in the floods, and there may be a delay in returning to the UAE,” he said.