India sends aid to Turkey : What role India has played to help natural disaster-hit countries in the past?

By : Author Desk

Updated : February 8, 2023
5:28 pm

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India sends aid to Turkey : What role India has played to help natural disaster-hit countries in the past?

Context- In a bid to provide relief to the quake-hit Turkey, India is sending an Army medical team, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel, and medical supplies. The West Asian nation was struck by a series of massive earthquakes on Monday (February 6) killing over 5,000 people and injuring thousands.

According to the Indian Army, the mobilization of the field unit took place just hours after the announcement of the disaster relief response to Turkey.

(Credits- The Hindu)

Sending aid to Turkey is yet another instance of India quickly coming in support of a country hit by a natural disaster. In the last 15 years, India has carried out several disaster relief operations and emerged as a leading actor during such emergencies, especially in its neighborhood.

What are the previous instances of India sending aid to natural disaster-hit countries?

*The United States of America:

An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft delivered 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas on September 13, 2005.
The relief supplies comprised 3,000 blankets, bed sheets, tarpaulins and personal hygiene items.

*Maldives:

After the 2004 Tsunami, the Indian government announced a composite package worth five crore rupees. Under “Operation Castor”, 50 sorties were undertaken and four aircraft and two Naval ships were engaged in relief operations.
Repairing and restoring generators and communication, providing drinking water, and setting up medical camps on ships was also done.

*Sri Lanka:

India sent its forces to carry out rescue operations, called “Operation Rainbow”, in Sri Lanka hours after the Tsunami struck the country on December 26, 2004.
Not only this, India provided medical assistance to thousands of victims by setting up medical camps in coordination with the local civil and military health authorities. Preventative medication and vaccines were also supplied.

*Myanmar:

When cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in 2008 killing at least 20,000 people, India was among the first countries to send aid to them.
It gave 125.5 tonnes of relief material, including medicines, clothing, utensils, water tanks, tents and tarpaulin.

*Japan:

The 2011 Tsunami wreaked havoc in Japan. Apart from providing relief materials, India also sent 46 members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to search and rescue in the town of Onagawa. It was their first overseas operation.
The team included a doctor, three officers, six inspectors, two paramedics and constables and carried 9,000 kg of equipment and food.

*Nepal:

In the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquakes, the NDRF deployed 16 of its urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, which comprised more than 700 rescuers in the country.
They rescued 11 injured persons and retrieved 133 dead bodies from the rubble. The teams also organized six medical camps and attended to 1,219 persons. Indian authorities sent more than 1,176 tonnes of relief materials to Nepal.

Conclusion- India remains an early responder to humanitarian disaster and relief efforts in the international arena, especially in the neighborhood.