Thiruvananthapuram, March 6 (UNI) The help desk launched by NORKA Roots following the escalating tensions in West Asia has received 830 calls as of 5 pm on March 5, officials said on Friday.
Of the total calls, 538 were received from within India. Among Gulf countries, 148 calls came from the United Arab Emirates, 59 from Qatar, 52 from Bahrain, 16 from Kuwait, 5 from Oman and 10 from Saudi Arabia, while two calls were received from the United Kingdom.
To ensure support for expatriate Keralites in the region, six NORKA assistance groups have been constituted across Gulf countries.
These groups include officials from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs, representatives of Loka Kerala Sabha in respective countries, embassy volunteers, representatives of NORKA-recognised expatriate organisations, social workers and other prominent individuals.
Review meetings held at the NORKA Centre evaluated the prevailing situation in the region, the information received through the help desks and cases requiring urgent intervention.
Authorities have advised expatriate Keralites to strictly follow official advisories issued by the governments of the respective countries, Indian missions and other authorised agencies.
For assistance, the 24-hour help desk of NORKA Roots can be contacted at 91-8802012345 (international missed call) and 18004253939 (toll-free number within India). The Kerala House control room in New Delhi is also available at 011-23747079, 011-23742320 and 91-9310443880.
In addition, a control room functioning at the NORKA Centre operates daily until 10 pm. The control room of the Ministry of External Affairs is available from 9 am to 9 pm at 1800118797 (toll free), 91-11-23012113, 91-11-23014104 and 91-11-23017905. Those requiring urgent assistance may also contact Indian missions in their respective countries.
