PA/31/14 18 September 2014
AUSTRALIA HELPS PROVIDE RELIEF TO FLOOD VICTIMS
Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling today offered his sympathies to the people of flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir as he presented a cheque for 15 Lakh rupees to ActionAid India to provide immediate relief to flood victims.
The funds, provided under the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program, will be used to buy and distribute food, medicine, toiletries, woollens, blankets, clothes and other non-food items to 3,200 people.
Mr Suckling said the Australian Government was deeply saddened by the devastation in Jammu and Kashmir, which had affected hundreds of thousands of people.
“Jammu & Kashmir is battling one of the worst floods in 50 years. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims of this terrible natural disaster,” he said.
“We are glad to be able to partner with ActionAid to provide immediate relief to 3,200 people in the most severely-affected areas.”
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is administered by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and provides small grants for activities that support development and strengthen communities in India and Bhutan.
ActionAid began operations in India in 1972 and works to help the community in areas such as land justice, livelihood development, alleviating urban poverty, the empowerment of women and girls, emergency relief and disaster response.
It has helped provide relief and rehabilitation to victims of numerous natural disasters over the last two decades including the Uttarakhand floods and Cyclone Phailin.