Australia announces Rs 15 lakh aid for J&K flood victims

Australia today provided Rs 15 lakh for the victims of flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, where millions of people have been affected by the worst floods in over a century.
Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling presented a cheque of Rs 15 lakh to ActionAid India and offered his sympathies to the people of the flood-hit state.
Suckling said Australian Government was deeply saddened by the devastation in Jammu and Kashmir which has 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," he added.
The funds, provided under Australian Government's Direct Aid Program, will be used to buy and distribute food, medicine, toiletries, woollens, blankets, clothes and other non-food items, an official statement said.

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.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by worst floods in over a century, resulting in death of more than 200 people and leaving tens of thousands marooned.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described the current floods in the state as the worst in 109 years.