India continues to be a ‘First Responder’ in crisis situations in its neighbourhood and beyond
The third consignment of emergency relief assistance from India for people affected by the recent earthquake reached Nepal on Thursday (November 9, 2023). India had offered all possible assistance to the Himalayan nation after it was hit by an earthquake on November 3, 2023.
 
"@IAF_MCC Flight #3 carrying another 12 tonnes of relief material lands in Nepal. India will always remain a trusted and reliable partner," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on social media platform X. 
 
India sent the second consignment of nine tonnes of emergency relief assistance for the people on November 6, 2023. The consignment, which was transported to Nepalgunj by a special Indian Air Force C-130, comprised essential medical and hygiene supplies, tents, sleeping bags and blankets.
 
The first consignment of emergency relief assistance from India reached Nepal on November 5. It comprised 11 tonnes of relief material provided by India which included tents, tarpaulin sheets, blankets, and sleeping bags along with essential medicines and medical equipment.
 
At least 157 people were killed when an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 hit the Himalayan nation on November 3, 2023. The epicentre of the earthquake was at Jajarkot, which lies about 400km northeast of the capital, Kathmandu.
 
On November 4, 2023, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives due to the earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal and was ready to extend all possible assistance. 
 
As the latest assistance to Nepal shows, India continues to be a ‘First Responder’ in crisis situations in its neighbourhood and beyond. Following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, the Government of India was the first responder and carried out its largest disaster relief operation abroad - Operation Maitri. 
 
India had also extended US$ 1 billion to Nepal as part of its long-term assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction in housing, education, health, and cultural heritage sectors and included reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Nepal’s Gorkha and Nuwakot districts.