india

Updated: Apr 05, 2019 22:52 IST

India has despatched four warships loaded with hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies, including food and medicines, and a helicopter to Mozambique to help people affected by a cyclone that tore through the southern African country last month.

The Indian personnel have rescued more than 200 people and provided medical aid to more than 2,000 at medical camps set up by the Indian Navy in areas affected by Cyclone Idai, which hit Mozambique on March 14 and caused widespread destruction and claimed more than 500 lives.

Responding to a request from the Mozambique government, India immediately diverted three warships – INS Sujata and INS Shardul of the navy and Sarathi of the Coast Guard – to the port of Beira for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Indian Navy became the first responder to the evolving crisis.

A fourth warship, INS Magar, an amphibious warfare vessel, is expected to reach Beira on April 11 with essential relief materials, including 500 kg of epidemic-related medicines, 400 tonnes of rice, ready-to-eat meals, clothing, repair and rehabilitation equipment and temporary shelters. The supplies are adequate to cater for about 1,000 people for a week.

An Indian Chetak light helicopter has made numerous sorties for aerial surveys by disaster management officials, evacuation of people and dropping 1,430 kg of food and relief materials.

The Indian helicopter crew has come in for particular praise from local NGOs; with the administrator of the Facebook page MO Info writing in a post: “…I must make a special mention of the Indian Navy pilots! These boys are flying an ANCIENT Alouette III and they are flying her to shreds!!

“They are constantly in the air carrying supplies and airlifting casualties. Their ground crew drills are slick, polished and disciplined and stand out head and shoulders above other military crews,” the post added.

The Indian personnel have also been providing fresh water to relief camps, clearing debris and repairing damaged roads.

India is also sending aid to Malawi and Zimbabwe, which were affected by the cyclone. The External Affairs Ministry is sending 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and medicines worth $2 million to Malawi, while medicines worth Rs 2.44 crore are being sent to Zimbabwe, officials said.

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