Several Indian community forums and organisations have assured support for Keralite expatriates affected by the devastating floods, in case they need any assistance to return to Qatar.
There are many who have lost not only their property and other belongings while there are others who have lost many of their precious documents and records including passports, travel documents among others. As it was the annual vacation time, a large number of Keralites had flown home and it is feared that some of them might have lost their documents.
As the school holidays are coming to an end, most Keralite expatriates have started to return and an Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) official told Gulf Times that the organisation is ready to help such people, stranded in the affected areas.
“We are ready to help anyone if they need any assistance to return to Qatar. Those affected can contact ICBF and through co-ordination with the officials concerned, we will be able to chalk out such assistance for them. Relatives, friends or colleagues of such stranded people can approach ICBF and we will provide all assistance,” said P N Baburaj, vice-president, ICBF.
“So far, there has been only one request for assistance for a ticket from Kerala and we have arranged it. But more than that, if people have lost their documents or other records such as Resident Permit card or other records, we can help them, “ continued Baburaj.
Dr Mohan Thomas, founder chairman of Birla Public School, said that the institution is taking care of some of the teachers who have been affected by the floods. “As I understand, about 16 teachers of our school and their families are affected. Most are from places including Kuttanadu, Aluva, Aranmula, Muvattupuzha, Chengannur, and Thrissur,” noted Dr Thomas.
“Birla Public School has opened a control room in Kochi and a staff member is placed there to provide support to the affected teachers for rescheduling their flights and other needs. We also provide free accommodation and transport for transiting the employees from Kochi. They are also given assistance of an NGO named Serve People Foundation in case they need any other help,” he explained.
Dr Thomas, who recently visited Kerala to hand over INR 2.5mn as initial assistance to the Chief Minister, said that he had also met several other high level officials and offered all possible help from the Indian community in Qatar. He also promised that Keralites working in Qatar and affected by the flood can contact the community leaders including himself for assistance, in case they need it.
In addition there are a large number of Kerala socio-cultural organisations that are active in Qatar and all of them are extending support for their friends back in Qatar. While many of them are assisting the affected financially, they have also promised more help. Most of the organisations Gulf Times spoke to noted that so far they have not got any request from anyone back home for assistance to return to Qatar and in case of such cases, they are ready to extend all the help possible.
