Remarks by High Commissioner of India at function to hand over Humanitarian Assistance for Rohingyas
DHAKA, May 9 (NsNewsWire) –The following is the full and unedited text of Indian High Commissioner’s remarks at a function in Chattogramhere on May 9 to hand over Humanitarian Assistance for Rohingyas:
“Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief, Mofazzel Hussain Chowdhury (Maya),
Mohammed Abul Kalam, Additional Secretary, Refuge, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner,
Md. Ilyas Hossen, Deputy Commissioner, Chittagong
Commodore M Musa, Commanding Officer, BNS ISSA KHAN
Commander A. Ashok of INS Airavat and crew
Friends from the media,
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.
- Today, we stand beside the friendly people of Bangladesh with our second phase of relief assistance to help face the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. I am grateful to the Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief Mr. Mofazzel Hussain Chowdhury (Maya) who is present to receive the consignment.
Friends,
- INS Airavat sailed from Vishakhapatnam and reached Chittagong port yesterday under Commander A. Ashok. The 373 MT of relief consignment contains
104 MT of milk powder;
102 MT of dried fish;
61 MT of baby food;
50,000 raincoats; and
50,000 pairs of gum boots.
Another tranche containing 1 million litres of kerosene oil and 20,000 cooking stoves is expected to arrive soon.
- As had been announced by the Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Vijay Gokhale in April 2018, these provisions have been selected in view of the specific needs of the large number of women and children living in the camps and the onset of monsoon. We hope this will bring some succour to the people living in camps. We are also coordinating with the district administration for smooth distribution of the relief material and thankful for the cooperation extended by them.
- India has always responded readily and swiftly to any crisis in Bangladesh. You will recall that in September 2017, the External Affairs Minister of India Smt. Sushma Swaraj had announced relief operations under ‘Operation Insaniyat’ for displaced persons from Myanmar in Bangladesh. The Minister had also conveyed this to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. At that time, Government of India had handed over 981 MT of relief consignments brought through air and sea. The relief material consisted of family packs for each of the families of displaced persons consisting of rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets etc.
- We understand that the influx of large number of displaced persons has created unprecedented challenges for the Government and people of Bangladesh. The role being played by Bangladesh in extending humanitarian assistance to such a magnitude is commendable and deserves both recognition and support by the international community. We appreciate the actions of the Government of Bangladesh in making every effort to deal with the urgent requirements of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare etc. As a friend and neighbour, we hope that our efforts in extending a helping hand will ease some of your burden.”