22 tonnes of relief aid shipped to Chennai
First shipment was a result of the overwhelming participation from Indian community
Abu Dhabi:
Up to 22 tonnes of relief supplies from the UAE were shipped to India on Friday evening to help residents of Chennai, the Indian Social and Cultural Centre said on Sunday.
The recent floods in Chennai, India cost the lives of more than 300 people, with several buildings, offices, shops and other premises destroyed.
“We managed to ship one big container last Friday with clothes, food, stationery, blankets and basic medicines, among others,” Ramesh V. Panicker, president of the Centre, told Gulf News.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Indian community here in the UAE. The level of participation was overwhelming, which resulted in a successful first shipment,” he added.
Donations poured in from Indians spanning different age groups, Ramesh explained, stating that several others volunteered to join members from the centre in collecting the provided relief material.
Residents can still make donations to the centre in Abu Dhabi, Ajmal Steel Tubes and Pipes Industries (LLC) in Mussafah, and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Housing Complex in Al Ruwais, which is located some 240 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi.
These collection points are open daily from 9am to 7pm, Ramesh said.
“If more donations come through, the centre will help organise one more shipment,” Panicker said.
“Even though floods have stopped, several people have been left homeless and a number of houses have been completely destroyed, so it is our duty to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Chennai.”
The preferred relief items include sugar, dal, rice, winter clothes, stationery items, blankets, dry fruits or basic medicines. Perishable materials, oil, liquid or previously-used clothes are items that residents have been asked to avoid.
Box: Collection centres:
1- Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi
2- Ajmal Steel Tubes and Pipes Industries (LLC) in Mussafah
3- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Housing Complex in Al Ruwais.
Time: 9am to 7pm daily
