India sends relief supplies to flood-afflicted Mozambique
New Delhi, March 10
India on Tuesday sent food and relief assistance to inundated Mozambique in its effort to be the first responder.
Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that India sent 500 MT of rice as immediate food assistance, 10 MT of essential relief supplies and other support.
In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "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. 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.
Floods remain one of Mozambique's most frequent and destructive hazards. This Anticipatory Action Plan, developed by ADRA Mozambique and Fundacão SEPPA under Welthungerhilfe's WAHAFA program, sets out how communities and partners prepare for and respond ahead of impact--through early warnings, local coordination, and targeted support to the most vulnerable. It demonstrates how anticipatory action can save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen resilience, as per United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Mozambique experiences frequent and severe flooding, driven by its geographical position along the southwest Indian Ocean, extensive coastline of over 2,700 km, and numerous international river basins. Ranked highly vulnerable by global assessments such as the INFORM Risk Index (2024) and ND-GAIN Index (2021), Mozambique faces heightened disaster risks compounded by climate change, poverty, and limited infrastructure. Flooding, primarily river flooding, is a recurring natural hazard due to heavy rainfall during the rainy season (November to April) and cyclonic events.
— ANI
Reader Comments
A very noble gesture. However, I hope we are also investing equally in our own disaster management systems. We have many flood-prone states that need robust anticipatory action plans too. Charity begins at home, but it shouldn't end there.
Solid move! 500 MT of rice is no small amount. This is how you build strong diplomatic ties - through genuine help during crises. Africa has always been our friend.
Reading this from Maputo. The Indian community here is always helpful, and now this direct aid from the government. Thank you, India. The medicines and tents will make a real difference on the ground.
This is strategic and kind. Helping Mozambique strengthens our position in the Indian Ocean Region. It's good geopolitics and good karma. The navy's role is crucial for quick delivery.
Proud moment. But the article mentions their "Anticipatory Action Plan" developed by NGOs. We should learn from that model and implement similar community-based early warning systems in our coastal and riverine areas.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.