(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Most of the relief material may not reach the intended recipient because of logistical hurdles.
Abu Dhabi: Indian expatriates in the UAE planning to send relief materials to their flood-hit compatriots in Jammu and Kashmir have been asked not to do so for the time being as it may lead to another logistical disaster resulting in their efforts going waste.
The Indian Ambassador to the UAE T.P. Seetharam has urged his countrymen to refrain from sending relief in kind to marooned villages in Indian-administered Kashmir. He has also advised them to extend their help by contributing to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Consulate sets up helpline
Dubai: The Indian consulate in Dubai has set up a local helpline to provide information to those seeking assistance pertaining to the flood crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. The mission on Wednesday posted on its website that information will be provided through the mobile number 050 734 7676 and email kashmirihelplinecgidubai.com. The helpline numbers of the home ministry and state governments have also been posted on the mission’s website. The Dubai helpline has started receiving many calls from Kashmiri expatriates concerned about the condition of their relatives and friends back home. His comments came as Indian community members in the UAE especially those from J&K are gathering relief materials to be sent to the flood-hit areas. A meeting of the Kashmiri expats is scheduled for later this evening at Zabeel Park to discuss about the options to assist in relief operations.
'Our suggestion is that they should contribute to the PM's national relief fund because of logistical difficulties in getting these things to the beneficiary' the ambassador told Khaleej Times.
He pointed out that many materials end up lying at airports in various cities since it is not easy to transport them to the flood-hit areas at present.
'Also the cost of transporting these supplies is sometimes much more than the cost of the materials. Buying them from India will be more efficient and cheaper and appropriate than to deal with bundles of used clothing and blankets and so on. There have been cases where these things get piled up and do not reach the beneficiary. Some NGOs may collect clothes and pile it up out on the roadside…it may lie there for long and can go to waste also' the envoy said.
According to him there had been such instances in the past mainly after the 2004 tsunami. At that time Seetharam said the Indian government had instructed its missions abroad to strictly discourage people from sending any relief in kind.
'The government has not appealed for help now also. However whoever wants to help can do so by donating to the PM's fund. It can be sent directly to India by drawing cheques or drafts in favour of the fund. If anybody wishes to send it through the embassy or the consulate here we will ensure that it is transferred to the fund and a receipt is obtained.
The ambassador clarified that the missions will however not be able to interfere or assist senders of relief materials in getting clearance from the customs or other authorities.
Concerned about the urgency to reach out to their kith and kin trapped in their homes a Kashmiri expatriate said some of them have volunteered to transport inflatable boats to the submerged villages.
However the ambassador said it was not a good idea to rush and carry such things from here.
'It is better for them to find out the agencies who have already tied up in providing such help and get them sourced from within India. If they carry it they will have to pay customs clearance duty on these things and go through all other formalities in getting full clearance which may not be very easy.'
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