The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) was established in October 2009 with the approval of Indian Cabinet in the Indian Missions of 18 Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) countries and Maldives to meet contingency expenditure incurred by them for carrying out various on-site welfare activities for overseas Indian citizens in distress. Thereafter, a set of guidelines were issued in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India to enhance the utilization of the fund, expand the scope of activities and purposes for which the fund can be used.

(All requests for assistance from ICW Fund will have to be submitted to and approved by a committee comprising four officers of the Embassy headed by Ambassador.)