India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to impacted countries, says MEA
India has reiterated its commitment to helping with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the ASEAN region by sending relief material to Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar which have witnessed losses and suffering in the wake of Typhoon Yagi. The consignments of humanitarian relief were sent on Sunday (September 15, 2024) after India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance to countries affected by Typhoon Yagi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the launch of Operation Sadbhav through a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“India launches #OperationSadbhav.  Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. 

10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard @indiannavy INS Satpura today. 
@IAF_MCC is carrying 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. 

10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags for Lao PDR”.

Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos are among the Southeast Asian countries which have witnessed devastation due to Typhoon Yagi, this year’s most powerful tropical storm in the region. The typhoon, which hit last week, brought heavy rainfall and strong winds. According to some news reports, the typhoon has killed nearly 400 people; thousands more have been displaced due to widespread floods and landslides.

India’s Humanitarian Assistance to Vietnam

Under Operation Sadbhav, India has extended humanitarian relief assistance of USD 1 million to the Government of Vietnam to provide relief to the affected communities in northern Vietnam impacted by the natural disaster. A consignment of 35 tons of humanitarian assistance, including water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, among others, was airlifted to Vietnam today by a special aircraft, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

“The humanitarian support to Vietnam is testament to the enduring close ties between the two countries, marked by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the MEA pointed out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier conveyed his sympathies and solidarity to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh immediately after the typhoon struck. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also extended sympathies to Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

India’s Assistance to People’s Democratic Republic of Lao

 The floods and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi have caused widespread damage to property and agricultural land affecting around 40,000 people in northern Laos. As part of Operation Sadbhav, India has sent emergency flood relief assistance worth USD 100,000 to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

The 10-tonne consignment sent on a special aircraft includes hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and repellents, sleeping bags, gensets, water purifiers, water purification tablets and disinfectants and other material.

“India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to impacted countries. Operation Sadbhav is part of India’s broader effort to contribute to HADR within the ASEAN region, in line with its longstanding ‘Act East Policy’,” the MEA stated.