ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, June 28: Indian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft transited through Côte d’Ivoire’s capital, Abidjan, en route to Venezuela carrying humanitarian relief supplies under Operation Amistad following the devastating earthquakes that struck the South American nation.
According to the Embassy of India in Côte d’Ivoire, the two C-17 aircraft are transporting 35 tons of relief equipment, an Indian Army Field Hospital contingent, and two BHISHM Cubes to support relief efforts in the earthquake-affected country.
The embassy said the contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, and is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support, and other essential healthcare services to those affected by the disaster.
“Operation Amistad – Responding to the devastating earthquake that struck northern Venezuela, the two Indian Air Force C-17s transited through Abidjan en route to Venezuela carrying 35 tons of relief equipment, an Indian Army Field Hospital contingent, and two BHISHM Cubes,” the embassy said.
“The contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, and is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support, and other essential healthcare services to those affected by the earthquake,” it added.
The team is also carrying approximately six tons of medical supplies and humanitarian relief materials provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In addition, one of the aircraft is transporting a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.
The BHISHM Cube is an indigenous, rapidly deployable, modular medical facility designed for disaster response and humanitarian missions. The system consists of compact, self-contained medical modules that can be quickly assembled into a fully operational field hospital capable of treating up to 200 patients. It is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation units, and oxygen support systems.
The embassy said the deployment highlights India’s ability to provide swift and effective medical assistance during humanitarian crises anywhere in the world.
The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad reflects India’s continued commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as its readiness to extend timely support to partner nations during times of crisis.
Following the powerful earthquakes in northern Venezuela, India launched Operation Amistad, dispatching critical medical assistance to the affected nation in a demonstration of humanitarian solidarity and global leadership.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the mission underscores India’s expanding role as a first responder in global Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Guided by the strategic diplomacy of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the operation reflects India’s commitment to supporting partner nations during emergencies.
According to CNN, citing an update from Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, at least 1,430 people have died in the twin earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday.
Rodriguez said 3,238 people have been injured, while 3,142 families have been displaced after losing their homes.
Rescue teams continue searching for survivors as the critical rescue window narrows. Operations have been hampered by a shortage of heavy equipment and persistent aftershocks.
Since the twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the country has experienced multiple aftershocks and smaller tremors, further complicating rescue and relief efforts. (ANI)
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