New Delhi: India on Thursday handed over 40 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material to Myanmar which has been devastated by Cyclone Mocha.
The relief material brought by three Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shivalik, Kamorta, and Savitri was handed over to Yangon Region Chief Minister by India’s Ambassador to Myanmar Vinay Kumar under ‘Operation Karuna’ on Thursday.
It included emergency food items, tents, portable generators, clothes, water pumps, medicines, tarpaulins, hygiene and sanitary items, wheelchair, face masks, etc.
Even as the first consignment of relief supplies was being unloaded and sent immediately to the Rakhine state for distribution among the affected communities, a fourth Indian Naval Ship Gharial is on its way with more materials, including emergency medicines and medical kits, and is expected to reach on Friday.
India’s immediate response holds a special significance as Myanmar remains the only ASEAN country adjoining India and, being a gateway to South East Asia, holds a special significance in line with New Delhi’s ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighborhood First’ policies.
“India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha… India continues to be the first responder in the region,” tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar revealing that three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material have reached Yangon under Operation Karuna.
