Nay Pyi Taw/New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) The Indian Army Field hospital set up in quake-hit Mandalay has treated 104 patients so far, and performed two major surgeries. The NDRF team has so far recovered 16 bodies from under the collapsed rubble of buildings in Mandalay, the MEA said in an update on Operation Brahma.
Meanwhile, one C130J aircraft arrived at Mandalay Airport with 16 Tons of HADR material this afternoon.
The humanitarian aid was handed over to Lt Gen Myo Moe Aung and dignitaries of the Myanmar government.
This is the first aircraft to land at Mandalay for providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) aid.
The NDRF teams recovered five more bodies today, taking the total count of bodies recovered from under the rubble to 16 till now.
The NDRF is also conducting search and rescue operations at Ganga Ghat Mandir.
The NDRF team has been working to break through the collapsed concrete rubble of buildings in Mandalay and other places.
As part of Operation Brahma to provide crucial assistance to quake-hit Myanmar, so far six Indian Air Force aircraft and five Indian Naval ships have delivered 625 MT of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) material.
India launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance, following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28.
Being the First Responder in times of crisis in the Neighbourhood, Operation Brahma is a whole-of-government endeavour by India to respond to widespread destruction in Myanmar, a statement said.
Today, on April 1, in continuation of Operation Brahma, India dispatched further assistance including critical supplies to meet the immediate needs of the affected population.
An IAF C-130J aircraft carrying approx. 16 tonnes of HADR material including vital supplies such as tents, gensets, drinking water, food, and emergency medicines, aimed at addressing the urgent needs of those affected by the disaster landed in Mandalay today.
Further, Indian Naval Ship Gharial departed from Visakhapatnam Port on April 1, for Yangon. The ship will deliver 442 MT of food aid including 405 metric tons of rice, 30 metric tons of cooking oil, five metric tons of biscuits, and two metric tons of instant noodles. These supplies are intended to meet the immediate food needs of the affected population in Myanmar.
India delivered the first tranche of HADR material to Myanmar, including 15 tonnes of supplies such as tents, blankets, essential medicines, and food – supplied by NDRF and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - using a C-130J aircraft, which landed in Yangon in the morning of March 29.
The second tranche, aboard two IAF C-130J aircraft, included 80 NDRF Search and Rescue (SAR) specialists, equipment, and relief material. One aircraft carried 17 tonnes of personal protective equipment, search & communication equipment, and rescue equipment, and the other carried five tonnes of HADR materials such as gensets, hygiene kits, food packets, essential medicines, kitchen sets, blankets etc. These aircraft landed in Naypyitaw on March 30.
The third tranche, involving two IAF C-17 aircraft, transported an 118 member Indian Army Field Hospital Team with over 60 tons of supplies, rapidly deployable surgical and medical shelters, water sanitation and hygiene services and most importantly women and child care services. These aircraft also landed in Naypyitaw on March 30. The 200-bedded field hospital in Mandalay is now operational, treating patients and performing surgeries.
Indian Naval ships Satpura and Savitri, from the Eastern Naval Command - sailed for Yangon on March 29 carrying 40 tonnes of HADR material. These were handed over to the Chief Minister of Yangon on March 31. Indian Navy Ships Karmuk and LCU 52 from the Andaman and Nicobar Command sailed for Yangon on March 30, carrying 30 tonnes of relief material including HADR pallets comprising essential clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency stores. These were handed over at Yangon Port on April 1.
India stands ready to deploy more material assistance and resources to Myanmar depending on ground-level needs and requirements. India’s ongoing efforts under Operation Brahma reflect its commitment to respond swiftly and in full measure to natural disasters in her Neighbourhood.
As a First Responder, India stands with Myanmar, a key partner of our Neighbourhood First and Act East policy, the statement said.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, leaving a trail of destruction, with over 2,000 deaths reported so far.
UNI RN