Indian Navy's INS Airavat reaches Sudan with 100 tonnes of food aid

New Delhi: Indian Navy spokesman has informed that the Indian warship, INS Airavat, carrying 100 tonnes of food grain reached Sudan, in Africa, on Monday. Against the background of Coronavirus pandemic and the natural calamities, India has sent these food grain supplies to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea under Mission Sagar-2. Before this, in the first phase of Mission Sagar, India had sent food grain and medicine supplies to Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros.

INS Airavat set sail from the Mumbai port on 24th October, for the African countries, carrying 155 tonnes flour, 65 tonnes rice and 50 tonnes of sugar. It reached Sudan on Monday. 25% of the Sudanese population is facing starvation due to the Coronavirus pandemic and natural calamities. Against this background, the Indian government has sent this aid to Sudan on the request of the government.

India is helping the African countries on humanitarian grounds to tide over the natural calamities and Coronavirus pandemic. Before this, India had supplied essential medicines, injections, chloroquine, paracetamol and other medicines to 13 African countries. Whereas, during the first phase of Mission Sagar, India had sent medicines and food grain to Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros.

In September, a virtual meeting was held between India and the African countries. During the meeting, India had assured that it would prove to be a trusted and a strong partner of the African countries. This assistance provided by India becomes significant against this background.