The centre on Sunday announced sending $100,000 worth emergency flood relief assistance to Laos to assist the nation in dealing with the devastating impact of a major typhoon. The relief assistance was provided by the government under 'Operation Sadbhav' to provide humanitarian assistance to three countries, including Laos, which are affected by Typhoon Yagi.
Under Operation Sadbhav, New Delhi also sent $1 million worth humanitarian relief assistance to Vietnam to deal with the devastating typhoon.
Various parts of Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam have been reeling under massive floods after Typhoon Yagi, said to be Asia's most powerful storm this year, hit the three countries.
The typhoon that originated from the South China Sea made landfall over a week back reportedly killing over 170 people in Vietnam and around 40 in Myanmar.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday said that the floods and landslides have caused widespread damage to property and agricultural land affecting around 40,000 people in northern Laos.
"Ten tonnes of humanitarian relief supply has been sent to the Government of Lao PDR. The supply in the form of hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and repellents, sleeping bags, gensets, water purifiers, water purification tablets and disinfectants and other material has been airlifted today on-board a special aircraft from India," the statement said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said 10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard
INS Satpura.
A C-17 military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force is carrying 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam and 10 tonnes of relief materials to Laos.
He further said that 10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags were sent to Laos.
"India launches #OperationSadbhav. Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos," Jaishankar said on 'X'.
India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the region. 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’.
In a separate statement, the MEA said, "The humanitarian support to Vietnam is testament to the enduring close ties between the two countries, marked by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had conveyed sympathies and solidarity to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Pham Minh Chinh immediately after the typhoon struck Vietnam. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had also extended sympathies to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Bui Thanh Son. 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'," it added.
The Indian Navy said it has commenced rapid preparations to deploy humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in response to the devastating flash floods in Myanmar.
The Eastern Naval Command in coordination with Eastern Fleet and other supporting units successfully completed the overnight loading of HADR pallets including drinking water, rations and medicines onto an Indian naval warship destined from Visakhapatnam for operations in Yangon, it said.