India comes to hurricane-hit Saint Lucia's aid

India has made a cash donation of US$ 500,000 (about Rs 2.25 crore) to Saint Lucia, which was devastated by Hurricane Tomas in October 2010.

The hurricane, which swept over the Eastern Caribbean region, caused extensive damage estimated at between five and 10 per cent of the country's GDP.

On Wednesday, in response to a request from the government of St Lucia, India made a cash donation of US$ 500,000

towards assistance in recovery and rehabilitation.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Hardeep Singh Puri handed over a cheque for the amount in New York to his St Lucia counterpart Donatus Keith St Aimee.

While handing over the cheque, Puri conveyed India's sorrow over the loss of lives and expressed solidarity with the people of Saint Lucia

Photograph: Jay Mandal/On Assignment