New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) On Tuesday, India sent 500 metric tonnes of rice, alongside 10 metric tonnes of vital relief supplies including tents, hygiene kits, and rehabilitation materials, as well as 3 tonnes of crucial medicines to Mozambique in response to the severe floods affecting the country's central and southern regions.

Additionally, India has successfully transported 86 metric tonnes of life-saving medicines via sea. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized India's dedication to providing humanitarian, medical, and logistical support as a primary responder and a reliable ally in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Africa.

“India stands united with Mozambique amidst the catastrophic floods impacting its central and southern provinces. As part of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) initiatives, India has orchestrated a comprehensive response to assist the people of Mozambique. This includes the shipment of 500 MT of rice as immediate food support, 10 MT of essential relief supplies such as tents, hygiene kits, and rehabilitation items, along with 3 tonnes of critical medicines delivered via an Indian Navy vessel,” Jaiswal shared on X.

“Moreover, 86 MT of life-saving medicines have already reached Mozambique through maritime transport. India remains committed to providing diverse support—humanitarian, medical, and logistical—reinforcing its role as a trusted first responder and a steadfast partner in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa,” he added.

In January, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the recent floods have displaced approximately 392,000 individuals in Mozambique. According to the UNHCR report, floodwaters surged rapidly across the most affected provinces—Gaza, Maputo, and parts of central Mozambique—leaving families with little time to prepare and forcing them to evacuate without essential items, including identity documents.

Last September, India had previously dispatched medical assistance to Mozambique using a Coast Guard vessel to bolster the healthcare capabilities of the southern African nation.

“In support of a key Global South partner, Mozambique, India has sent medical aid. The initial batch of assistance was dispatched via an Indian Coast Guard vessel, including medicines and surgical supplies aimed at enhancing Mozambique's healthcare infrastructure,” the MEA stated on X.

India maintains strong, friendly, and substantial relations with Mozambique, with trade connections between Mozambique and the western regions of India dating back several centuries, even preceding the colonial period.