India contributes $1.3 million to help disaster hit islands

UNITED NATIONS: India has contributed over $1 million to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Commonwealth of Dominica towards disaster relief assistance in the aftermath of flash floods that struck these islands in December last year.

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ambassador Asoke Mukerji handed over the contributions of $500,000 each to the Permanent Missions of St Vincent and Grenadines and St Lucia to the UN, and $300,000 to the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The flash floods had struck the three Caribbean islands and resulted in the deaths of 15 people. They also caused immense damage to infrastructure at community level, including roads, railways and schools in all three countries.

Following a request for assistance from these three island states for contributions towards reconstruction and relief efforts presently underway in their territories, the Indian government decided to contribute a total of $1.3 million towards disaster relief activities.

Mukerji conveyed the Indian government's "steadfast commitment in standing by fellow developing countries in times of crises" and expressed hope that these would help in alleviating the resource constraints faced by them in their relief efforts, a statement issued by the Indian mission said.