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The first batch of earthquake relief material leaves for Türkey, along with NDRF Search & Rescue teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machine and other necessary equipments.
| Photo Credit: Twitter/MEAIndia
India has dispatched the first batch of aid to Turkey with an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 taking off in the early hours on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, as part of the Humanitarian And Disaster Relief (HADR) to earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
Also read:Why Turkey is prone to devastating earthquakes?
The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Monday that India will provide “all possible assistance” and in a meeting led by P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the PM attended by the Cabinet Secretary and representatives of relevant ministries it was decided to send “search and rescue teams of NDRF and medical professionals “immediately”.
“Last night, an IAF C-17 got airborne for Türkiye. Bearing Search & Rescue teams of the NDRF. This aircraft is part of a larger relief effort that will be undertaken by the IAF along with other Indian organisations,” IAF said on Twitter.
“First Indian C17 flight with more than 50 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Search & Rescue (SAR) personnel, specially trained dog squads, drilling machines, relief material, medicines and other necessary utilities and equipment reaches Adana, Türkiye,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Twitter. Second plane getting ready for departure, he added.
This aircraft is part of a larger relief effort that will be undertaken by the IAF along with other Indian organisations,” IAF said on Twitter on the first C-17.
“It is important to share that in our first helping hand flight, 5 of the 51 Search and Rescue Team members are women! Very proud to say this,” said Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the MEA.
The first C-17 got airborne for Turkey at 03:09AM, a source in the security establishment said. “A second C-17 is under loading and scheduled to take off shortly with a NDRF team.”
Dispatch of aid to Syria has been slightly delayed with the departure of a C-130 with only medicines and no personnel for Damascus delayed to afternoon.
Turkey and Syria were hit by massive earthquakes on Monday killings hundreds of people in both countries.
Two more C-17s are planned for Turkey late evening today with 60 Para Field Hospital and personnel, sources added.
The field hospital has been mobilised by the Indian Army hours after announcement of assistance, Army sources said.
“The Agra-based Army Field Hospital has despatched an 99 member medical team,” the Army said. . The medical team comprises of critical care specialist teams to include orthopaedic surgical team, general surgical specialist team, medical specialist teams apart from other medical teams. The teams are equipped with X-ray machines, ventilators, Oxygen generation plant, Cardiac monitors and associated equipment to establish a 30 bedded medical facility, the Army added.
Turkey and Syria were hit by massive earthquakes on Monday killings hundreds of people in both countries.
Turkish Ambassador to India Firat Sunel expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government’s offer of assistance and said that “a friend in need is indeed a friend”.
He also mentioned a Turkish proverb, Dost kara gunde belli olur, which means “a friend in need is a friend indeed”.
(With PTI inputs)
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