India launches ‘Operation Amistad’

• India launched ‘Operation Amistad’, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission, in response to the devastating earthquake in Venezuela.

• Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela, which were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and were felt throughout the region.

• The Spanish word ‘amistad’ means “friendship”.

• As part of the operation, two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft departed for Venezuela on the morning of June 26, carrying humanitarian relief supplies and a 41 member rescue team to assist the ongoing relief and rescue efforts.

• The relief consignment included a self-reliant Indian medical task force, an Indian Army Field Hospital unit with HADR pallets and medicines, 30 tonnes of relief supplies, 6 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment and two BHISHM cube portable hospitals.

• The 41-member team, comprising experienced rescue personnel and medical professionals, will work closely with the Venezuelan authorities in search and rescue operations, emergency medical care and humanitarian relief efforts in the affected areas.