Pakistani expat in UAE donates part of salary to Indian flood victims

ABU DHABI - A Pakistani man living in the United Arab Emirates has contributed part of his salary to the Kerala Chief Minister's relief fund to help flood victims in India.

An insurance professional from Karachi living in the UAE for the last six years, Rizwan Hussein said he got involved in the situation in Kerala through a Malayalee friend and colleague, who was helping in rescue and relief efforts as floods wreaked death and destruction across the South Indian state.

Nearly 400 people have died and thousands remained stranded by the worst flooding in the Indian state of Kerala in a century.

“Prejudices get washed away when you stand for humanity, and support people who need help,” the 39-year-old told Khaleej Times.

"I grew up in Pakistan and spent the most of my adult life surrounded by these prejudices against Indians. I am sure, it is the same on the other side of the border too. But when you start living in another country, and interact with Indians, you realise people are all the same everywhere. The borders are in our minds," Hussein added.

"My contribution to the CM's relief fund was a token amount. But the response I got from my friends from Kerala has been positively overwhelming. They were touched."

Last month Javed Afridi, the CEO and chairman of Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, extended his help for the flood victims.

Afridi took to his official Twitter handle to announce that his team and charity foundation would like to “donate 5000 tents and basic medical supplies”.

Peshawar Zalmi owner donates 5,000 camps for ... 07:07 PM | 23 Aug, 2018

PESHAWAR - Javed Afridi, the CEO and chairman of Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, has extended his help ...

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan had also offered to provide “any humanitarian assistance that may be needed” for the flood-hit Indian state.

Khan, who took oath as Pakistan’s 22nd prime minister last month, tweeted on August 23 to say, “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, we send our prayers and best wishes to those who have been devastated by the floods in Kerala, India.”

On behalf of the people of Pakistan, we send our prayers and best wishes to those who have been devastated by the floods in Kerala, India. We stand ready to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be needed.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 23, 2018

“We stand ready to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be needed,” he added.

More than one million people in Kerala have been displaced, many of them taking shelter in thousands of relief camps across the state. More than 8,000 cattle, calves and buffaloes, 3,297 goats and 47 dogs have died in the floods, according to the state government.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/pm-imran-khan-to-address-nation-today/