In the wake of a devastating landslide in Kerala, India, that has claimed the lives of at least 160 people and left hundreds displaced, the expatriate community in the United Arab Emirates has mobilized to offer critical support. The tragedy, which has drawn comparisons to the catastrophic 2018 floods that killed over 400 people, has seen an outpouring of aid and donations from UAE residents, businesses, and philanthropists.
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A Community United in Action
For many UAE residents with roots in Kerala, the disaster is deeply personal. Dubai resident Shabna Ibrahim, originally from Wayanad—a district particularly hard-hit by the landslide—described her family’s involvement in the relief efforts. “My brother and his wife, both Ayurveda doctors, have been on the ground assisting the medical teams in rescue operations,” she shared. “They are helping to identify the deceased and treat the injured. My parents have also opened their home to anyone displaced by the disaster.”
Another Wayanad native, Shajahan Kuttiyath, who tragically lost nearly 100 family members in the landslide, has also taken swift action. “People there have to start from scratch and will need a lot of help,” he explained. Kuttiyath, who had previously organized aid during the 2018 floods, is working with associations in Wayanad to assess immediate needs and coordinate relief efforts from the UAE.
The scale of the destruction in Wayanad is immense. The landslide not only claimed lives but also flattened homes, schools, and other buildings. The collapse of the only bridge connecting Chooralmala village to the rest of Wayanad has further complicated relief efforts, though local authorities are working to construct a temporary bridge to restore access.
Generous Contributions from Business Leaders
In response to the disaster, several prominent UAE-based businessmen have stepped up with significant financial contributions to support the Kerala government’s relief efforts. MA Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group, and B. Ravi Pillai, Chairman of the RP Group, have each donated approximately Dh2 million to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman of VPS Healthcare, has offered the expertise of Prometheus Medical International’s mountain rescue team, a subsidiary of VPS Healthcare, to assist in the relief operations. In a communication with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Dr. Vayalil expressed readiness to deploy the highly specialized team, which includes mountain rescue experts, emergency medical professionals, and nurses, as soon as they receive instructions from the Kerala government.
Healthcare Providers Extend Support
Healthcare organizations in the UAE have also played a crucial role in the relief efforts. Aster DM Healthcare, a prominent healthcare group with operations in India and the UAE, is contributing in multiple ways. The Dr. Moopens Medical College in Wayanad—formerly known as DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences—is providing medical care in coordination with local government hospitals and Public Health Centres.
“Apart from our medical and non-medical staff on the ground, our Aster volunteers have also mobilized a team and a mobile medical unit to the disaster-stricken areas to attend to the wounded,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare. “We are supplying essential resources—such as water, food, and other provisions—to support the National Disaster Response Force in their tireless efforts.”
In addition to the on-ground support, Aster DM Healthcare has donated approximately Dh500,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and committed Dh1 million towards rebuilding homes for those displaced by the disaster. Dr. Moopen also revealed that several Aster employees are missing as a result of the landslide, and the company is actively working to locate them and provide support to their families.
A Shared Commitment to Recovery
The swift and generous response from the UAE expatriate community underscores the strong ties between the Gulf state and Kerala. As the region grapples with the aftermath of one of its worst natural disasters in recent history, the solidarity and support from abroad offer a beacon of hope for the victims. The contributions—both financial and in-kind—reflect a collective commitment to helping Kerala rebuild and recover from this tragedy.
