New Delhi, Sep 16 (Representative) India on Sunday launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance to Southeast Asian countries affected by Typhoon Yagi, including Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.India on Sunday sent US$ 1 million worth humanitarian relief assistance to Vietnam, to provide relief to the affected communities in northern Vietnam impacted by the natural disaster. A consignment of 35 tons of humanitarian assistance, including water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, among others, was airlifted to Vietnam today by a special aircraft, a statement said. The humanitarian support to Vietnam is testament to the enduring close ties between the two countries, marked by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed sympathies and solidarity to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh immediately after the typhoon struck Vietnam. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also extended sympathies to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Bui Thanh Son.India also sent US$ 100,000 worth emergency flood relief assistance to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)The floods and landslides have caused widespread damage to property and agricultural land affecting around 40,000 people in northern Laos.
Ten tonnes of humanitarian relief supply has been sent to the Government of Lao PDR. The supply in the form of hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and repellents, sleeping bags, gensets, water purifiers, water purification tablets and disinfectants and other material was airlifted today on-board aspecial aircraft from India.Besides, 10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard Indian Naval vessel INS Satpura today. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X: “India launches #OperationSadbhav. “Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.“10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard @indiannavy INS Satpura today. “@IAF_MCC is carrying 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam.“10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags for Laos.”
India has been among the first responders in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to impacted countries. Operation Sadbhav is part of India’s broader effort to contribute to HADR within the ASEAN region, in line with its longstanding ‘Act East Policy’. Super typhoon Yagi and its aftermath have left a trail of destruction in Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos.Vietnam has suffered estimated loss of property so far at around US$1.6 trillion, with 26 provinces and cities in the northern region affected. Super typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, has killed at least 59 people and injured hundreds in northern Vietnam.In Myanmar, the death toll from flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi has crossed 75, with scores of people missing.Nearly 240,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar due to the super typhoon, adding to the already 3.4 million displaced people at the beginning of September mostly because of war and unrest in recent years. In Myanmar, low-lying areas in the central regions of Mandalay and Bago, as well as eastern Shan state and the country’s capital, Naypyitaw, have been inundated by water.In Laos, the worst-affected region is Luang Namtha Province, where flooding and landslides have caused significant property damage and left many residents stranded.