NEW DELHI: India on September 17 dispatched a consignment of 1,000 tonnes of rice to Namibia as humanitarian aid to address the food security needs of the drought-stricken African nation. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to supporting the Global South.
“As a credible HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) provider and a reliable friend, India is extending food grain assistance to the people of Namibia to strengthen their food security in the wake of recent droughts,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a post on X. The consignment departed from Nhava Sheva Port.
Aid for Chad
On September 14, India announced the extension of humanitarian assistance to another African country, Chad, in the wake of a “deadly” fire in the capital city. India sent a medical aid consignment weighing approximately 2,300 kgs, consisting of essential life-saving antibiotics and general medicines, to the landlocked country in north-central Africa.
Several people were killed and injured in a fire and explosion at a weapons and ammunition depot in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena on June 19.
Operation Sadbhav
Earlier this week, India launched ‘Operation Sadbhav’ to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, helping them cope with the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared on September 15 that 10 tonnes of aid, including dry rations, clothing, and medicines, were dispatched to Myanmar aboard the Indian naval ship INS Satpura. Additionally, a C-130J military transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force carried 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam and 10 tonnes to Laos. Jaishankar noted that the Indian Air Force was transporting 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam, which included water purification systems, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns.
Similarly, 10 tonnes of aid, including a genset, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets, and sleeping bags, were sent to Laos.
