New Delhi: In keeping with India’s tradition of reaching out to people of Africa in times of need, Indian Naval Ship Airavat has delivered 50 MT food items to Djibouti.
India is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards the same INS Airavat is carrying food aid for the people of Djibouti.
“A handing over ceremony was held on Wednesday at Port Djibouti, wherein Secretary General in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Solidarity of Djibouti Mme Ifrah Ali Ahmed accepted the food aid from Indian Ambassador to Djibouti Ashok Kumar. The ceremony was also attended by Commanding Officer INS Airavat, Commander Prasanna Kumar,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
Earlier, INS Airavat has provided humanitarian assistance to Sudan and Eritrea.
“The Indian naval ship is presently in the Port of Djibouti. It has delivered 50 MT of food aid and it will depart Djibouti today and reach Mombasa (Kenya) on November 20 to deliver 70 MT of food aid meant for South Sudan,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
This is in the form of food aid of 270 MT to people affected by natural calamities and the Covid pandemic in these countries.
INS Airavat left Mumbai on October 24 on a visit to this region with this aid comprising of wheat flour, rice and sugar.
As per its schedule, INS Airavat had earlier delivered 100 MT of food aid after reaching Port Sudan on November 2.
Thereafter it reached Massawa Port in Eritrea on November 6 and delivered 50 MT of food aid meant for that country.
Mission Sagar-II is aligned with Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s position as a dependable partner in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with Indian Navy as the first responder in the maritime domain.
The mission also highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her maritime neighbours and further strengthens the existing bond.
