India has handed over the second consignment of relief goods to Bangladesh to helping it to confront the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of Rohingyas from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
The 373 tonnes of relief consignment include 104 tonnes of milk powder, 102 tonnes of dried fish, 61 tonnes of baby food, 50,000 raincoats and 50,000 pairs of gumboots.
Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla handed over the consignment to Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzel Hussain Chowdhury Maya on Wednesday in Chattogram. He said another tranche of relief having one million litres of kerosene oil and 20,000 stoves is expected to arrive soon.
Last month India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the provisions have been selected considering the specific needs of the large number of women and children living in the camps and the upcoming monsoon.
“We hope the relief goods will bring succour to the people living in camps,” Shringla said. He added they are also coordinating with the district administration for smooth distribution of the relief material and thanked them for cooperating on the issue.
“India has always stood by Bangladesh in times of need. Ours is a relationship based on trust, friendship and shared martyrdom that goes beyond strategic partnership,” he said.
Shringla also said India has always responded readily and swiftly to any crisis in Bangladesh.
Earlier in September last year, India sent 981 tonnes of relief under its ‘Operation Insaniyat’ for displaced people of Myanmar in Bangladesh.
