New Delhi, India

India on Sunday (Sep 15) launched 'Operation Sadbhav' to help Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, currently dealing with the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi.

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Operation 'Sadbhav'

Operation 'Sadbhav' as per India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is part of the nation's broader effort to contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, in line with its "Act East Policy".

"India launches #OperationSadbhav. Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos," posted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on X (formerly Twitter).

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Also read | Typhoon Yagi death toll rises to 74 in Myanmar; 89 missing as floods and landslides wreak havoc

Relief for Vietnam 

For Vietnam, India has sent water purification items, containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns. A total of 35 tonnes of aid was airlifted. The relief, as per a PTI report, is worth USD 10,00,000 (over 83 million INR).

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The MEA 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," it added.

Relief for Laos

In Laos, where floods and landslides have affected around 40,000 people in the northern region, India provided 10 tonnes of relief supplies worth USD 1,00,000 (over 8 million INR). These include hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping bags, and water purification systems.

"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 has been airlifted today on-board a special aircraft from India," said MEA.

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Relief for Myanmar

The Indian Navy, in coordination with its Eastern Fleet and other supporting fleets, mobilised quickly to aid Myanmar, where severe flash floods have caused widespread damage. Overnight, the successful loading of HADR pallets, including drinking water, ration and medicines, onto an Indian naval warship from Visakhapatnam for operations in Yangon was completed. 

(With inputs from agencies)