Japan announces aid for Uttarakhand victims

NEW DELHI: Extending a helping hand to India in the wake of devastating floods in Uttarakhand, Japan today announced an emergency aid of USD 2,00,000 (about Rs 1.19 crore) and promised to help in reconstruction efforts in the state.

The gesture was conveyed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who sent a message to his counterpart Manmohan Singh, expressing shock over the damage caused by the floods.

"I was shocked to learn that the devastating floods have caused extensive damage to life and property in the state of Uttarakhand and other states in northern India. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their bereaved families," Abe's message to Singh said.

He conveyed to Singh the Japanese government's decision to extend emergency grant aid of USD 2,00,000 (Rs 1,19,29,000) through the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies to help India in "overcoming this difficult period".

The amount will be used to support the distribution of relief items and other relief operations to help the floods victims in the state.

In addition to the emergency aid, Japan will also assist India's efforts to achieve middle and long-term reconstruction of Uttarakhand.

The gesture came in response to IFRC's call for support "as well as in light of Japan's friendly cooperative relations with India based on the Japan-India Global and Strategic Partnership and the fact that Japan is the largest aid donor to India," the Japanese Embassy here added.

It said the Japanese assistance was also keeping in view India's generous support extended to the victims of the 'Great East Japan Earthquake' in 2011.