Isle of Man pledges emergency aid

The Isle of Man Overseas Aid Committee has pledged £50,000 in emergency aid to India and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The committee approved £14,000 to assist the charity Christian Aid with relief work in south east India after it was hit by a cyclone in May.

A further £36,000 has been granted to the Tearfund charity to support their operations in the DRC.

Committee Chairman Phil Gawne MHK said they were both "worthwhile appeals".

The south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh was hit by Cyclone Laila which left at least 23 people dead and forced more than 50,000 people to be evacuated to shelters.

The committee said the funds would help Christian Aid to provide emergency food rations, distribute water and assist pregnant women and children.

The aid will also be directed to Tearfund's work in the Fizi territory of the DRC, providing water and sanitation facilities to people displaced by a flare-up in conflict in April.

Mr Gawne said: "Emergency aid remains a vital part of international development and the purpose of the committee's emergency aid fund is to save and protect lives in emergency situations such as those addressed by these two worthwhile appeals.

"Clearly the modest amounts the Isle of Man can give will not be enough on their own to alleviate the suffering of the many thousands of people affected by these two emergencies.

"However, our funds, combined with those of the international community, will make a difference."