India airlifts food, medicines to flood-hit Myanmar

NEW DELHI: India today airlifted several tonnes of rice, noodles and medicines to Myanmar which has been severely affected by cyclone Komen.

12 regions and states of Myanmar have been severely hit by the cyclone, which has led to widespread floods and landslides in that country.

Around 250,000 people have been affected and over 500,000 acres of farmland destroyed.

In response, India has dispatched emergency relief supplies to Myanmar.

Indian Air Force aircraft are in the process of delivering supplies to Kalay and Mandalay and are ready to supply to other affected areas as advised by Myanmar authorities, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Defence sources said one C-17 from with 50-tonne load of rice, noodles and medicines was dispatched to Mandalay besides C-130 to Kalay with 10 tonnes of food and medicines.

Another aircraft with about 45 tonnes of relief material and food has landed in Guwahati to be taken to Myanmar tomorrow.

On July 31, President of Myanmar declared Chin and Rakhine states and Magway and Sagaing regions as " natural disaster zones" requiring emergency assistance.

On August 4, 2015, Myanmarese government welcomed international assistance for the flood response. India was specifically requested to send emergency supplies of rice and medicines by air to locations that are currently hard to reach through other means, the MEA said.

The operation is being conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs in close coordination with government of Myanmar, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force, Embassy of India, Yangon, and the Consulate of India in Mandalay, it said adding that the operation will be completed in the next 2-3 days.

The Indian Embassy in Yangon remains in close touch with Myanmar authorities and international organizations in this connection, the statement said.

India greatly values its special relationship with Myanmar and will stand by Myanmar people in this hour of crisis, it said.