Kerala Ministers to go abroad to seek funds for flood relief, rehabilitation

Cabinet meeting nominates Ministers to head resource mobilisation campaign in each district.

Huge loss: Equipment which were completely damaged at the Eloor Primary Health Centre.

The Kerala government is reaching out across the world in a massive resource mobilisation drive to generate funds for the flood relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction programme.

Talking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the large Malayali diaspora in various countries would have a key role in funding the programme.

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The Loka Kerala Sabha, a government-sponsored platform for expatriate Malayalis, would seek to mobilise the diaspora for the world-wide campaign, along with other Malayali associations.

State Ministers and senior officials would visit countries such as the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, the U.S., and Canada to seek funds from non-resident Keralites and other communities. Simultaneously, efforts would be made to tap Malayalis in other States as well as within Kerala.

 

The Cabinet meeting nominated Ministers to head the resource mobilisation campaign in each district. They would visit the districts from September 13 to 15 and receive contributions from individuals, institutions, and organisations. Prior to the campaign, District Collectors would convene a meeting of heads of departments.

Senior officials in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary would participate in the consultations.

Campaign at schools and colleges

Mr. Vijayan said a campaign would be launched at schools and colleges to collect donations. “A lot of children have come forward to offer their savings for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims. The campaign will reach out to students in professional colleges and government, aided, and unaided institutions to raise more funds. CBSE and ICSE schools will also be linked to the campaign.”

Citizens and communities across the world had responded well to the proposed rehabilitation and reconstruction programme for flood victims. “Many have donated funds beyond their capacity.” The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund had received a total of ₹1,026 crore till Thursday, with 4,17,000 donations being made online, he said.