Typhoon Haiyan: India dispatches relief material to Philippines

Mumbai: The Union government has dispatched relief material to Philippines, which was severely hit by typhoon ‘Haiyan’ over a week ago, a defence release said. “Government of India mounted a speedy joint service response co-ordinated by HQ Integrated Defence Staff to provide help to the beleaguered nation,” the release said. [caption id=“attachment_1238977” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Typhoon Haiyan. AP[/caption] The relief package comprising medicines, hygiene chemicals, tents,blankets, tarpaulins and meals ready to eat were provided and were airlifted by an Indian Air Force C-130 Super Hercules aircraft. “The aircraft reached Tacloban, the epicentre of the devastating natural calamity, where more than 10,000 people are feared dead, on Saturday and delivered the much-needed relief supplies that are expected to help meet the urgent need for life saving medical care, food supplies and construction of temporary shelters in the face of a serious humanitarian crisis,” the release added. Plans are now underway to further supplement the effort and provide additional relief material, a second consignment on-board an Indian Naval Ship that is expected to be dispatched shortly from Vizag. According to the release, additional relief material consignment on board will be of much larger quantity to include temporary shelters, prefabricated huts, life saving medical care and earth moving plants. The water purification capacity of the ship shall also be utilised to provide clean drinking water to the affected people. “Necessary coordination for sending the ship and its arrival formalities at Philippines are being carried out with the Embassy of Philippines,” the release said. PTI