15 December 2015 PA-CN/12/01
Australia Provides Relief to Flood Victims
The Australian Consulate-General in Chennai announced today that it contributed 30 lakh rupees for immediate flood relief work in northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. The Australian Consul-General for South India, Mr Sean Kelly, expressed his deepest sympathies to the people in the affected areas.
The funds were provided under the Australian Consulate-General’s Direct Aid Program, and are being used to provide emergency relief kits containing food, clothing and other necessities to approximately 450 families in Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, Thanjavar, Tiruvallue and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. The Australian Consulate-General has provided 10 lakh rupees each to The Indian Red Cross Society, World Vision India and CARE India, who are carrying out relief work on the ground.
“Our heartfelt sympathies are with those who have lost families and friends, suffered injuries, lost their homes or have otherwise been badly affected by this catastrophic flooding,” the Australian Consul-General to South India, Mr Sean Kelly, said today. “I have been inspired by the many acts of heroism and selflessness by those rendering assistance, including spontaneous action from within communities. We hope our contribution, through the Indian Red Cross Society, World Vision India and CARE India, can give comfort to some of those who have had their lives turned upside down,” he added.
The Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization with a network of over 700 branches throughout the country. It provides relief in times of disasters and emergencies, and promotes health and care to vulnerable people and communities. World Vision works alongside community-based organizations, government and non-government organizations across 174 districts in India. World Vision works to serve all people irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion and gender through long-term sustainable community development programs and immediate disaster relief assistance. CARE has been working in India for over 60 years, focusing on ending poverty and social injustice. CARE’s overall goal is the empowerment of women and girls from poor and marginalised communities leading to improvement in their lives and livelihoods.