The Indian government on Saturday sent an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and medical taskforce, apart from other humanitarian aid, as part of the Operation Brahma to assist neighbouring Myanmar, where a magnitude 7.7 earthquake has left over 1600 people dead and scores of others injured.
Responding to the emergency, India sent the first tranche of 15 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines, to the country.
The relief materials were handed over to Yangon Chief Minister U Soe Thein by Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur.
NDRF
India also sent a strong 80-member National Disaster Response Force team to Nay Pyi Taw to assist the country in carrying out the rescue and relief operations.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: “A C130 flight with 80 member @NDRFHQ search and rescue team has landed in Nay Pyi Taw.”
As part of the operation, India sent two India Navy ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, with 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
Two C-17 aircraft, carrying 118 members of the Indian Army Field Hospital Unit, including Women and Child Care services and 60 tonnes of relief material, reached Myanmar on Saturday evening.
The team belonging to the elite Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders is led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill.
“The Airborne Angels Task Force is trained and equipped to deliver advanced medical and surgical care in disaster-affected zones,” read a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence.
As part of the operation, the Indian Army will establish a 60-bed Medical Treatment Centre to provide immediate care to those injured in the calamity.
The facility will be capable of handling trauma cases, emergency surgeries, and essential medical services to support the local healthcare system, which has been severely strained by the disaster.
Jaiswal wrote on X: “With these, five relief flights from have landed in Myanmar today.”
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had written on the platform: “A 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit is en route to Mandalay from Agra. The team will assist in providing first aid and emergency medical services to the people of Myanmar.”
Neighbourhood Policy
The Indian Ministry of Defence said the humanitarian assistance extended to Myanmar underlines India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the timeless Indian ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family.
“The Indian Army continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with friendly nations in times of crisis, reflecting India’s resolve to be a first responder in the region,” the statement said.
Death Toll Rises To 1600
The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of neighbouring Thailand has climbed to 1,600, news agency AFP reported, citing Myanmar’s Junta government. Over 3,400 people have been injured, and many remain missing.
Narendra Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Myanmar’s senior general Min Aung Hlaing and reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment as a ‘close friend and neighbour’ and expressed solidarity with earthquake-hit Myanmar.
Modi wrote on X: “Spoke with Senior General H.E. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour.”
