India Sends 15 Tonnes of Relief Material to Earthquake-Hit Myanmar
New Delhi/Yangon, March 29, 2025: In response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, India has dispatched approximately 15 tonnes of relief material to assist those affected. The consignment, sent from the Air Force Station Hindon aboard an IAF C-130J aircraft late on Friday (March 28), arrived in Yangon on Saturday (March 29). Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), confirmed the arrival of the relief flight.
The relief materials provided by India included essential supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, hygiene kits, solar lamps, television sets, generator sets, and crucial medicines, including paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, and cotton bandages. This humanitarian effort is part of India’s longstanding commitment to assisting its neighbors in times of crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern over the situation, assuring that India stands ready to provide all possible assistance to Myanmar and Thailand. He stated, “I am concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. I pray for the safety and well-being of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, I have asked our authorities to be on standby, and the MEA to remain in close contact with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand.”
The earthquake caused significant destruction, resulting in the loss of over 150 lives, severe structural damage to buildings, and the collapse of a bridge and a dam in Myanmar. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Indian government swiftly organized the dispatch of aid to the affected areas.
India’s relief efforts come ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to Thailand for the 6th summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Bangkok from April 3-4. Following this, he is also set to visit Sri Lanka from April 4-6. The issue of humanitarian assistance in the BIMSTEC region was discussed during a media briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs, where Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar emphasized the importance of regional coordination in disaster response.
“The BIMSTEC region is prone to extreme weather events and natural disasters. It’s relevance is evident today in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Collaboration in disaster management and between our disaster management authorities through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercises has been a priority area for India,” Mazumdar stated.
The upcoming BIMSTEC summit is significant as it marks the first in-person meeting of the leaders of the seven-member group since the COVID-19 pandemic. The last physical summit took place in Kathmandu in 2018, while the fifth summit was held virtually under Sri Lanka’s leadership in 2022. This summit also marks the first gathering since the February 2021 coup in Myanmar and the August 2024 student-led uprising in Bangladesh, which resulted in the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted, “We are currently analyzing reports of damage, primarily in Myanmar. We are in communication with the authorities in Myanmar and are assessing the exact requirements for further assistance and relief material that may be needed. India has always been the first responder in the neighborhood during such natural disasters.”
With India’s swift response, the relief effort highlights the country’s commitment to humanitarian assistance in the region, reinforcing its role as a reliable ally in times of crisis.
Source: The Hindu
