UAE-based Indian expat donates $7m to Kerala aid fund

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director of UAE-based VPS Healthcare, is the latest Indian expat tycoon to donate to the relief campaign for Kerala

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director of UAE-based VPS Healthcare, is the latest Indian expat tycoon to donate to the relief campaign for Kerala in the aftermath of its most devastating floods.

Vayalil has donated AED26 million ($7 million) after floods have so far led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands of people in the Indian state.

The extremely heavy rainfall has also caused unprecedented loss to property, with considerable damage to the infrastructure across the state.

Dr Vayalil’s contribution comes as part of the emergency relief campaign launched by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF) in line with the directives of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed Hajji Al Khouri, general manager of KBZF, commended Vayalil’s donation, stressing that the donations of UAE-based Indian businessmen highlight the vital role that individuals play in the charity, development and humanitarian fields.

On Thursday, GEMS Education founder and chairman Sunny Varkey committed AED5 million to support emergency relief and rehabilitation work in Kerala.

On Saturday, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan instructed the formation of a national emergency committee to provide relief assistance to people affected by flash floods in Kerala.

According to the President's instructions, the committee will be chaired by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and will include representatives from the UAE's humanitarian organisations.

UAE-based Indian tycoons and businesses have rushed to donate to Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation's relief fund for Kerala flood victims.

Among those to also donate have been Indian businessmen Yusuff Ali MA, owner of the Lulu Hypermarket chain and Dr BR Shetty, CEO and executive vice chairman of NMC Health, who each gave AED5 million.