India launched ‘Operation Karuna’ to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, which has been severely hit by Cyclone Mocha. Three Indian Navy ships reached Yangon with relief material on Thursday; a fourth one is expected to arrive on Friday.
India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha. #OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 18, 2023
The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents,… pic.twitter.com/Ot8Ohm2jpn
India Brings Emergency Aid
INS Shivalik, INS Kamorta, and INS Savitri were the first Naval ships to arrive in Yangon as a part of the operation with more than 40 tonnes of Human Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) materials.
On Friday, the fourth ship INS Gharial will bring more HADR materials, including emergency medicines and medical kits. “India continues to be the first responder in the region,” Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted.
All materials are being dispatched immediately to the Rakhine state for distribution among the affected communities. With this, India continues to be the first nation to support its neighbours in the event of such calamities.
The Indian Navy spokesperson said, “India remains committed towards ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).”
Indian Ambassador in Myanmar Vinay Kumar handed over the materials brought to Yangon Region Chief Minister for the affected people.
Ambassador @vkumar1969 handed over humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) materials for people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha to Yangon Region Chief Minister today under #OperationKaruna @MEAIndia @NDRFHQ @IndianDiplomacy @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/lFaxSi1glh
— India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) May 18, 2023
Urgent Need for Shelter; Widespread Disaster
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said there is an urgent need for shelter, clean water, food aid, fuel, and health services in the region.
The country is under “High risk of waterborne diseases and moving landmines in flooded areas,” UNOCHA tweeted. The agency said that relief agencies were awaiting approval from the military regime to deliver food and essential supplies.
Myanmar has borne direct impact from the storm, with the cyclone crashing through houses and cutting power lines in Rakhine state.
Cyclone Mocha is the most powerful cyclone to hit the coasts of Myanmar and Bangladesh in ten years. The cyclone made a downfall near Rakhine’s Sittwe township after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm.
Rakhine is the worst hit in Myanmar, while in Bangladesh, the cyclone wreaked havoc on the world’s largest refugee camp at Cox’s Bazaar, which houses a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
The cyclonic storm hit the countries over the weekend and caused widespread disaster, and killed hundreds. The tight control of the military government over information has left the actual extent of casualties unclear.