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India Sends 500 Tonnes of Rice, Vital Medicines to Flood-Hit Mozambique

India has dispatched substantial humanitarian aid to Mozambique, including 500 metric tonnes of rice and critical medicines, following devastating floods. The assistance, transported via Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels, includes essential relief supplies like tents and hygiene kits. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated this reaffirms India's commitment as a first responder and steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa. The UNHCR reports the floods have displaced approximately 392,000 people in Mozambique's central and southern provinces.

Key Points: India Sends Flood Relief & Medicines to Mozambique

  • 500 MT of rice as food aid
  • 10 MT of tents & hygiene kits
  • 13 tonnes of critical medicines delivered
  • Support via Indian Navy & Coast Guard ships
  • Reaffirms India's role as a first responder in IOR
2 min read

India sends essential relief supplies and critical medicines to flood-hit Mozambique

India dispatches 500 MT of rice, 13 tonnes of medicines, and essential relief supplies to Mozambique following devastating floods, reaffirming its role as a first responder.

"India stands in solidarity with Mozambique in the wake of the devastating floods - Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, March 10

India on Tuesday dispatched 500 metric tonnes of rice, 10 metric tonnes of essential relief supplies such as tents, hygiene kits and rehabilitation support items and three tonnes of critical medicines to Mozambique following the floods that have impacted the African nation's central and southern provinces.

Furthermore, India has also delivered 86 metric tonnes of life-saving medicines through the sea route. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India's commitment to providing humanitarian, medical, and logistical support as a first responder and a steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Africa.

"India stands in solidarity with Mozambique in the wake of the devastating floods impacting its central and southern provinces. As part of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, India has mounted a multi-faceted response to support the people of Mozambique. This includes dispatch of 500 MT of rice as immediate food assistance, 10 MT of essential relief supplies such as tents, hygiene kits and rehabilitation support items, and 3 tonnes of critical medicines aboard an Indian Navy ship," Jaiswal posted on X.

"In addition, 86 MT of life-saving medicines have already been delivered via the sea route. India remains committed to extend multifaceted support - humanitarian, medical, and logistical - reaffirming its role as a trusted first responder and a steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa," he added.

In January, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the latest floods have displaced about 392,000 people in Mozambique. According to the UNHCR statement, across the hardest-hit provinces - including Gaza, Maputo and parts of central Mozambique - floodwaters rose rapidly, leaving families little time to prepare and forcing them to flee without essential belongings, including identity documents.

Last September, India had sent medical assistance to Mozambique through a Coast Guard vessel to augment the southern African nation's healthcare capabilities.

"Supporting a key Global South partner - Mozambique. India sends medical assistance to Mozambique. The first tranche of the aid was dispatched via an Indian Coast Guard vessel. The aid comprises medicines, surgical supplies and consumables which will augment Mozambique's healthcare capabilities," MEA stated on X.

India shares warm, friendly and substantive ties with Mozambique. Trade links between Mozambique and the western states of India go back to several centuries and pre-date the colonial era.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Good initiative. But I hope the logistics are efficient and the aid reaches the actual people in need quickly. Sometimes bureaucracy can slow things down. The focus should be on speed when it's a disaster situation.
A
Aman W
Solidarity with Mozambique. We know too well the pain of floods in our own country. Sending rice is practical and essential - hungry stomachs need to be filled first. Glad to see India stepping up as a reliable partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
S
Sarah B
Impressive and timely response. The mention of centuries-old trade links is fascinating. This isn't just aid, it's reinforcing a deep historical friendship. More power to such diplomacy.
K
Karthik V
This is how you build soft power. Not just talking, but acting as a "first responder". The medical aid is crucial - preventing disease outbreaks after floods is as important as immediate rescue. Jai Hind!
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Nisha Z
While I appreciate the help to other nations, I can't help but think of the flood victims in Assam or Kerala. I wish our domestic disaster response machinery was as swift and well-coordinated. We need to be strong at home too.

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