India launches ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ to assist earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia
On Wednesday, October 3, 2018, India launched ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ to assist earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi province of Indonesia, with humanitarian help. Two IAF Aircrafts, C-130J and C-17, departed on Wednesday morning carrying onboard medical personnel and relief materials.
The Ministry of External Affairs statement said that the operation was launched after the telephonic conversation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Joko Widodo on 1st October 2018, followed by Indonesia’s acceptance for international aid.
The statement said, “The C-130J aircraft is carrying a medical team onboard along with tents and equipments to set up a field hospital. The C-17 aircraft is carrying medicines, generators, tents and water to provide immediate assist”.
It said, “Three Indian Naval Ships – INS Tir, INS Sujatha and INS Shardul – have also been mobilized to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). These ships are likely to reach the Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia on 6th October 2018”.
Indonesia was hit by tsunami after a strong earthquake of 7.5 magnitude on Friday, September 28. More than 1400 people have been reported dead and more than 60,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed in the tsunami and earthquake.
Because of short supply of relief material, desperate survivors started looting shops of food and water and to control this, police fired warning shots at the looters and has warned of actual shoots after the warning shots.
UN’s humanitarian office said that at least 200,000 people in affected area needed immediate help and relief material.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that evacuation process in city of Palu is going as per plan and emphasized that the government needs to immediately revive economic activity in the markets and shops.