New Delhi,27 May:The Indian Air Force is presently carrying out the largest ever across the border disaster relief mission to Myanmar and China having conveyed over 277 tonnes of relief material in the aftermath of cyclone and severe earthquake respectively. Another IL-76 of IAF would be ferrying 28 tones to Chengdu in China tomorrow.It may be recalled that cyclone Nargis struck south-east coast of Myanmar on 03 May 08 and caused wide spread damage to life and property. Also a severe earthquake measuring over 7.8 on Richter scale had struck the Sichuan province of China causing severe disaster. The Indian Air Force was called upon to carry relief supplies to these disaster affected areas.
For Mayanmar, the Disaster Management Crisis Group (DMCG) projected the requirement of carrying relief material on 06 May 08 and on 07 May 08 two IAF AN-32 were airborne for Yangon with supplies consisting of tents and medicine. Additional relief supplies were sent by IL-76 transport aircraft on 08, 10, 12 & 17 May 08. Another IL-76 has left for Yangon on 27 May 08.
For Myanmar IAF has airlifted 125.5 tonnes of relief material load includes medicines, tents, ready to eat meals & 47 personnel.
For China, the DMCG projected the requirement on 16 May 08 and IAF had delivered the load once again on 17 May 08 itself consisting of tentage, blankets & medicines. Thereafter relief supplies were sent on 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, & 24th May 08. IAF has so far airlifted 152 tones of relief materials including medicines, tents, sleeping bags, blankets and ready to eat meals.
