Local Indian diaspora joins Indian Navy's humanitarian efforts in Mozambique

Port Beira [Mozambique], March 25 (ANI): The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts by the Indian Navy in Mozambique have galvanised the local Indian Diaspora to work in tandem with the ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy (Sujata, Sarathi and Shardul) which are currently deployed here.
"The local community along with Indian community has enthusiastically joined the HADR efforts being undertaken by the ships. The rescue teams have voluntarily been provided vehicles by the Indian community for travel to affected areas and for coordination with the local authorities. The Indian diaspora has also organised local SIM cards for the teams so that effective communication is maintained while undertaking rescue work," stated a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
More than 192 survivors have been rescued from Buzi area near Port Beira, which is cut off from the mainland. Three medical camps have been set up at Port Beira, Gaura-Gaurathe Island and Matadoura School, Imnhamizua, and medical assistance have been provided to as many as 1500 affected people from the local population.
The press release further read, "The Chetak helicopter of Indian Navy has undertaken a number of sorties in difficult conditions for evacuation of local personnel in coordination with local authorities and the UN Mission. In addition, it has also dropped relief material (food and water) including that provided by the World Food Programme."
Ship's crew has taken up community services at affected locations like schools, churches, hospitals, orphanages in coordination with the local government officials. The ships have also set up a Community Kitchen which is kept open 24x7 for local populace including the workers at the port. Twenty-two tons of fresh water has also been provided to local authorities.
"The HADR operations by the ships of the First Training Squadron are likely to continue at Port Beira till March 30. INS Shardul is en route to Maputo to embark relief material and will return to Beira by March 28 to disembark relief material and also supply provisions to IN Ships. Meanwhile, INS Magar with relief stores being embarked at Mumbai and is likely to depart for Beira on March 27/28 to alleviate the sufferings of the cyclone-affected population of Mozambique," the press release read.
It stated, "The indomitable spirit, humane approach and professionalism of the ships of the Training Squadron and the helicopter operations by the IN (Indian Navy) have received the wide acknowledgement from the local government as well as the international agencies including the UN staff involved in HADR operations in Mozambique." (ANI)