Jet Airways partners with NGO to provide relief to rain-hit Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: Private carrier Jet Airways on Monday said it has partnered with the Indian arm of global NGO ActionAid to provide relief to the flood-affected people of Chennai and Thiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu.

In the long-term, the partnership will focus on rehabilitation including recovery and development of livelihoods, reconstruction and repair of damaged houses of over 2,000 people, Jet Airways said in a release.

The immediate joint efforts by Jet Airways and ActionAid will focus on providing food and essential items such as drinking water, health and sanitary kits, clothing, utensils, sleeping mats, bed rolls and materials for temporary shelters, among others, it said.

"Lives of many people in Chennai and neighbouring region have been severely impacted by the floods. Jet Airways has partnered with ActionAid to bring immediate relief to those most in need in this unfortunate situation...

"Jet Airways staff from across the country will volunteer to lend a helping hand and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the region for on-ground relief efforts," Jet Airways Chief Executive Officer Cramer Ball said.

In the long-term arrangement, the two partners will also work towards providing vocational skills training and employment opportunities to women from these communities for them to rebuild their lives, the release said.

"We are happy to partner with Jet Airways in transforming lives and livelihoods of the most excluded and marginalised women from Irula tribals, homeless and slum communities," ActionAid India Executive Director Sandeep Chachra said.

ActionAid India has been working in four districts of Tamil Nadu, providing relief and rehabilitation support since early November.