India providing 270 metric tonnes of food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea: MEA

 India is providing 270 metric tonnes of food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea as part of its assistance to friendly countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said INS AIRAVAT left Mumbai on October 24 on a visit to this region with this aid comprising wheat flour, rice and sugar.

He said that in keeping with India's trition of reaching out to people of Africa in times of need, government decided to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.

This is in form of food aid of 270 metric tonnes to people affected by natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic in se countries, he said.

Indian naval ship is presently in Port of Djibouti. It has delivered 50 MT of food aid and it will depart Djibouti today and reach Mombasa (Kenya) on vember 20 to deliver 70 MT of food aid meant for South Sudan, Srivastava said at an online media briefing.

Ambassor of India to Djibouti Ashok Kumar handed over 50 metric tonnes gift of food items to Mme Ifrah Ali Ahmed, Secretary-General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Solidarity of Djibouti, as part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, a tweet by Indian mission in Djibouti said.

Srivastava said as per its schedule, INS AIRAVAT h earlier delivered 100 MT of food aid after reaching Port Sudan on vember 2.reafter, it reached Massawa Port in Eritrea on vember 6 and delivered 50 MT of food aid meant for that country.

This gesture of government of India has been greatly appreciated by countries concerned, he said.

In continuation of ongoing humanitarian mission 'Sagar-II', Indian Naval Ship Airavat arrived at Port of Djibouti on vember 10, 2020, a defence ministry statement said.

government is providing assistance to friendly countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards same INS Airavat carried food aid for people of Djibouti, it said. Mission Sagar-II is aligned with prime minister's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in Region) and reiterates India's position as a dependable partner in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with Indian Navy as first responder in maritime domain.

mission also highlights importance accorded by India to relations with her maritime neighbours and furr strengns existing bond.

To a separate question on Vande Bharat Mission, Srivastava said as on vember 12, 23.41 lakh Indians have been repatriated through different modes of mission.