b>Jaipur (Rajasthan), Aug 25: Australia on Friday assured the famine-hit Rajasthan of all help in solving the potable water crisis during the drought in the state.
Referring to the similarities between his country and India, Australian High Commissioner in India Rob Laurie said besides the cooperation in drought management, his government would also extend all assistance to the state in the field of education, particularly primary education through the UNICEF.
The High Commissioner was speaking at a function organised by the UNICEF here for handing over drought relief equipments to the state government, for sustaining water supply system.
The AusAid, the Australian agency for international development, came forward and immediately provided relief worth US 400,000 dollars for providing the safe drinking water to the people of the drought affected areas this year.
On the occasion, the Rajasthan Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Ramsingh Vishnoi, UNICEF India representative Alan Court and the organisation's state representative Dr Satish Kumar were present.
Expressing gratitude to the high commissioner for the assistance the PHE minister said that this would go a long way in providing the succour and relief to the people who faced difficulty in getting safe drinking water.
''Certainly, I am touched by the humanitarian consideration of the great people of Australia towards the people of my state for their help in mitigating the difficulties of my people," Vishnoi said.
He hoped that the UNICEF and PHED will continue to cooperate on the same scale that has been done till now, so as to generate people's awakening towards humanitarian services.
—UNI
