The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday offered flood-ravaged Kerala Rs 700 crore to assist them, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, according to ANI. At least 223 people have died in the state since August 8.

“The people of Kerala have always been and are still part of our success story,” UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted on Saturday. He said that UAE had formed a committee to begin offering relief to those who were affected.

The Centre on Monday declared the floods in Kerala a “calamity of severe nature”. “Keeping in view of the intensity and magnitude of the floods and landslides in Kerala, this is a calamity of a severe nature for all practical purposes,” an unidentified home ministry official said. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced an assistance of Rs 500 crore.

On Tuesday, Vijayan also said that the Kerala Cabinet will recommend to Governor P Sathasivam that a special Assembly session be convened on August 30, to discuss relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the state after the floods.

Road, rail and air transport resumed partially in the state from Monday.