India to send 1000 tonnes of rice, malaria medicines to drought-hit Madagascar

New Delhi, February 02: Extending the helping hands to assist Madagascar, Indian once again going to send humanitarian assistance to the country. According to the MEA announcement, India will send 1000 tonnes of rice and malaria medicine to the country. The humanitarian assistance is being delivered onboard the Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa.

 

 

As per the MEA's statement, In response to the urgent appeal made by the Government of Madagascar for international solidarity and assistance to deal with the humanitarian crisis in South of Madagascar due to severe drought, the Government of India is sending a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice and 100,000 tablets of HCQ to Madagascar. According to a November 2020 report by the World Food Programme southern Madagascar has been impacted by a devastating famine.

INS Jalashwa will leave with the food and medical assistance on March 3 and is expected to reach the Port of Ehoala in Madagascar between March 21 and 24, 2021, the MEA said in a statement.

 

He tweeted, "Good conversation with FM of Madagascar @Tehindrazanari1. Informed him that Indian humanitarian assistance would be delivered in the coming days. Will include food and medical supplies." 

 

This development has come during the telephonic conversation held between the External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Madagascar foreign minister, Tehindrazanarivelo Liva.

This is a first-ever telephonic conversation between Foreign Ministers of India and Madagascar. . During the phone conversation, EAM recalled the excellent bilateral ties of friendship between India and Madagascar and that India has always been among the first responders when it comes to assisting the people of Madagascar in such humanitarian crisis.

  

Pointing out that India and Madagascar were maritime neighbors, Jaishankar also went on to assure Oliva that Madagascar can always count on the support and solidarity of the Government of India and its people.

 

 

In March last year, India had sent 600 tonnes of rice to the country. Besides this, the nation also sent aid to the country to deal with the covid pandemic. 

 

 

Apart from the consignment, INS Jalashwa will also have on-board an Indian Naval training team which is being deployed in Madagascar for capacity building and training of the Malagasy Special Forces for two weeks.