It’s now Day 3 of India’s Operation Brahma, a major initiative bringing together the army, navy and air force along with the National Disaster Response Force, to carry out relief and rescue in Myanmar following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake resulting in more than 2000 deaths.
A special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, noted that India was first responder, mobilising five air force transport aircraft comprising rescue teams, medical supplies, food and water. The first 15 tons of India’s humanitarian aid landed in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, marking the start of a comprehensive relief mission.
Critically needed items such as blankets, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, and medicines, were handed over to the Myanmar authorities for onward distribution. Two air force C-17 heavy-lift aircraft were tasked with transporting an Indian Army field hospital to Mandalay.
“The field hospital comprising 118 personnel, has been successfully established in Mandalay,” the army said, underscoring that “The hospital was deployed using two Indian Air Force C-17 heavy-lift aircraft and is now fully operational with a 200-bed capacity, offering surgical and in-patient care.”
The ability to provide critical care in an emergency is important given that lives are at risk, casualties could be many, and medical help at this juncture reduces the overall death count.
The Indian Navy dispatched two ships on March 31, the INS Satpura is a stealth frigate while the INS Savitri is a patrol vessel. Both arrived in Yangon harbour carrying 50 tons of relief materials including food, medicine, and temporary shelters.
This maritime assistance was complemented by further naval deployments, including the corvette INS Karmuk and a Landing Craft Utility, that delivered an additional 30 tons of supplies. In total, the Indian Navy sent over 440 tons of aid.
India’s rapid response was reinforced by high-level diplomatic engagement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted updates on Twitter regarding relief efforts. The Indian Embassy in Myanmar confirmed that the aid was being distributed across key regions including Yangon, the capital Naypyitaw, and Mandalay.
India’s role is has reinforced the general view that it is a reliable and compassionate partner in the region.
The United Nations emergency relief coordinator made an initial allocation of $5 million for recovery efforts. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, “The earthquake will compound an already dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where nearly 20 million people need assistance across the country, including more than 3.5 million people displaced from their homes.”
Though Western countries have largely cut off relations with Myanmar, a statement from the European Commission said it was “releasing 2.5 million euros ($2.3 million) in initial emergency assistance.”
“The Commission, together with our humanitarian partners, is assessing the situation and [the] needs on the ground, in order to mobilise further EU assistance.”
