As a symbol of standing in solidarity and extending support, India on Friday, August 14, sent 58 tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid including food supplies and medicines to Lebanon.
The Government of India sent the supplies loaded on an Air Force flight to help rebuild the crisis-hit capital city of Lebanon, Beirut.
The emergency humanitarian aid was dispatched on Friday morning in a C-17 heavy-lift aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in response to an assessment of requirements by Lebanese authorities.
India stands in solidarity with #LebanonToday C-17 of @IAF_MCC delivered 58 MT of humanitarian aid from India to the people of Lebanon to assist relief efforts in wake of the tragic #BeirutBlast. Read @IndiaInLebanon’s press release https://t.co/vd4HQaAXtO for more. pic.twitter.com/GeJi8myRCQ
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) August 14, 2020
‘In response to the massive explosion in Beirut on August 4, we had offered our assistance to Lebanon and sought from them an assessment of their requirement. Based on this, an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft was deployed to deliver 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the government of India to Lebanon,’ said Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, reported Hindustan Times.
‘The aircraft landed in Beirut a few hours back and the aid has been handed over by our ambassador to senior officials of the Lebanese armed forces, which is coordinating all the relief efforts,’ he added.
India demonstrates solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Beirut. 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid, including crucial medical and food supplies, is on its way to Beirut in IAF C17 aircraft. pic.twitter.com/JIfvdrvSYc
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 14, 2020
The aid sent by India includes emergency medical supplies, wheat flour, sugar, pulses, and relief materials such as blankets, dignity kits and sleeping mats, which are required by the large number of people left homeless by the deadly explosion.
The External Affairs Ministry also informed that a separate consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical gloves and surgical gowns, is being sent to Lebanon following a spike in COVID-19 cases.
This will reach Beirut in the coming days, ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
Also Read: AAP To Provide Oximeters To 30,000 Villages To Help Fight COVID-19: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
