In a display of international solidarity, the Australian Air Force swiftly transported emergency relief aid from Bharat to Papua New Guinea on Monday. The relief consignment, valued at USD 1 million, was flown from the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, to the capital of West New Britain, Kimbe. This aid is intended for distribution within the West New Britain province, responding promptly to the urgent needs of the island country.
The Indian High Commission in Papua New Guinea conveyed its gratitude, stating, “Responding to immediate requirements of PNG, emergency India relief assistance worth US$ 1 million gifted by India, was airlifted to Kimbe (from Port Moresby) by @AusAirForce @AusHCPNG, for onward distribution within West New Britain province. A friend in need is a friend indeed!”
This initiative follows a special charter flight departing from New Delhi last month, loaded with relief supplies as part of Bharat’s commitment to aiding the people of Papua New Guinea affected by the recent volcanic eruption. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed that the relief material includes approximately 11 tonnes of disaster relief supplies and 6 tonnes of medical aid.
This assistance, amounting to USD 1 million, was announced by Bharat to contribute to the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the volcanic disaster. The focus is on providing High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) supplies to support the people of Papua New Guinea in the wake of the volcanic eruption that occurred on November 20.
The eruption, originating from Ulawun, the most active volcano in the South Pacific nation, emitted smoke reaching up to 15 km (9.3 miles) in the air, according to the country’s Geohazards Management Division. This event marked the first significant eruption in years, prompting the need for urgent humanitarian aid.
Bharat has consistently stood by Papua New Guinea during times of crisis caused by natural disasters, such as the earthquake in 2018 and the volcanic eruption in 2019. Ulawun has a history of eruptions dating back to the 1700s, with the last significant eruption occurring in 2019, forcing over 5,000 people to evacuate, as reported by media.
The collaborative effort between India and Australia reflects the global spirit of solidarity and the shared commitment to assisting nations facing challenges arising from natural disasters.
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