India has swiftly emerged as a top responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to countries hit by crises."Operation Sadbhav" is a key initiative reflecting India’s broader efforts to contribute to the ASEAN region’s recovery, reinforcing its strategic ‘Act East Policy’.
Typhoon Yagi: Devastating Impact on Lives and Infrastructure
The catastrophic Typhoon Yagi continues to create havoc,with widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides causing extensive damage to infrastructure, where nearly 190,000 homes have been affected, either flooded, damaged, or destroyed, and the disaster has claimed at least 325 lives, with 1.6 million people impacted overall. The affected regions are struggling with prolonged power outages, communication disruptions, and water supply issues.
Although Typhoon Yagi has severely impacted the Philippines, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, it has struck Vietnam the hardest. The death toll in Vietnam currently stands at approximately 233, with the overall fatality count across these affected nations exceeding 300 as of last week. As search and rescue operations continue, and many individuals remain missing, this number is expected to increase.
In response to this crisis, Operation Sadbhav, initiated by the Government of India, aims to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to nations affected by Typhoon Yagi. As a part of this operation, India has provided critical humanitarian aid to the Government of Vietnam, focusing on disaster relief efforts in northern Vietnam, which suffered significant damage from the typhoon. Today, a special aircraft airlifted 35 tons of essential humanitarian supplies, including water purification equipment, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, to support the affected communities. This aid underscores the enduring Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, reflecting their strong ties in disaster response. Following the typhoon, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended his sympathies and solidarity to Vietnam’s Prime Minister H.E. Pham Minh Chinh, while External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also offered condolences to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Bui Thanh Son, reinforcing India’s commitment to international disaster support and diplomatic solidarity.
External Affairs minister, S. Jaishankar wrote on social media platform X that India is demonstrating o solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, by dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. He further highlighted that New Delhi has sent three aid packages to the affected areas so far.
- 10 tons of aid including dry rations, clothing, and medicines were dispatched to Myanmar today aboard the Indian Navy’s INS Satpura.
- 35 tons of aid comprising water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns were transported to Vietnam by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- 10 tons of aid including generators, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets, and sleeping bags were sent to Laos.
Operation Sadbhav: India’s Humanitarian Response to Typhoon Devastation
Operation Sadbhav is being actively supported by the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.A C-130J military transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force is currently en route to Vietnam with 35 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This aid is crucial for supporting communities severely affected by the typhoon. Additionally, the same aircraft is carrying 10 tonnes of relief materials to Laos to aid in their recovery. These actions highlight India’s commitment to providing international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the storm.
Indian Navy further added that the Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with the Eastern Fleet and other supporting units, has successfully completed the overnight loading of critical HADR supplies onto an Indian naval warship. This aid includes drinking water, rations, and medicines, all of which are being transported from Visakhapatnam to Yangon. These preparations demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to providing rapid and effective disaster relief in the wake of the devastating floods in Myanmar.
