1. In the wake of the destruction caused by the Tsunami/earthquake which hit South and South East Asia on December 26, 2004, a monumental relief effort is underway in the affected countries. In India, massive relief operations have been undertaken in the affected parts of the country. There has also been a spontaneous response to this unprecedented calamity in various countries, including in the Gulf, where a large community of Non-Resident Indians resides. In addition to the offer of support through the UAE Red Crescent we have received numerous offers of assistance from the community. We are indeed very grateful to those who have come forward with offers of assistance in these difficult times.
2. The Government of India has mobilised all resources within its control to ensure that immediate relief is provided to those in distress. Indian missions abroad have been asked to render all possible assistance to the Indian community residing in the countries affected by this natural calamity. Our missions in these countries have activated control rooms and the contact numbers are available on the website of the Ministry of External Affairs. In addition, control rooms have been set up by the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs in New Delhi and in the capitals of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The telephone numbers of the control rooms set up as also of the Relief Commissioners of the affected states are as follows:-
i) Ministry of External Affairs
Tel: 00-91-11-23011954, 23012292 & 23017160
Fax: 00-91-11-23013945 & 23010889
ii) Ministry of Home Affairs
Tel: 00-91-11-23092885 & 23092923
Fax: 00-91-11-23093750
iii) Tamil Nadu
a) Relief Commissioner:
Tel: 00-91-44-28523299 (Off)
Control Room Tel: 00-91-44-28593990
iv) Kerala
a) Relief Commissioner:
Tel: 00-91-471-2325992 & 2518408 (Off)
b) Control Room Tel: 00-91-471-2333198 & 2327792
v) Andhra Pradesh
a) Relief Commissioner
Tel: 00-91-40-23456005 (Off)
Control Room Tel: 00-91-40-23451043 & 23456005
vi) Orissa
a) Relief Commissioner
Tel: 00-91-674-2536721 (Off)
vii) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
a) Relief Commissioner
Tel: 00-91-3192-234880 (Off)
b) Control Room : Tel: 00-91-3192-231945 & 233089
c) District Collector of Nicobar
Tel: 00-91-3192-231945 & 233089
3. At present sufficient stocks of relief material of all kinds is already available with the Government of India, State Governments and relief departments in India. The primary objective at the present stage is to reach the supplies to those who needed. If, at an appropriate time material in kind is required for rehabilitation activities, the concerned authorities will make necessary an appeal. At the present juncture if community members wish to contribute to the ongoing emergency relief effort financial contributions can be sent to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund either directly or through the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India, Dubai.
4. Notwithstanding the destruction that this natural calamity has wrought in some parts of India, the Government of India has decided to contribute US $ 23 million as part of a composite relief package to Sri Lanka, US $ 1.15 million to Maldives, US $ 1 million to Indonesia and US $ 500,000 to Thailand.
5. An Indian Navy Hospital Ship INS Nirupak has already sailed for Indonesia carrying relief material amounting to US $ 1 million consisting of two full medical teams, in addition to (i) Shelter : tents, camp cots and blankets; (ii) Emergency rations: biscuits, instant foods and milk powder; and (iii) Emergency medical supplies: first-aid kits, antibiotics and vaccines against communicable dieases (typhoid, cholera and hepatitis).
6. Four Indian navy vessels, with integrated helicopters, have already reached Trincomalee and Galle in Sri Lanka. These have on board relief and rescue materials as well as medical teams. Two Navy Dorniers have landed in Colombo with 350 kgs. of medicines and medical teams, temporary shelter material, diving teams and communications equipment. Our naval medical teams have already set up medical camps in Trincomalee, Gallee and Hambantota. Six Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17s reached Colombo on December 28 for assisting in the ongoing relief operations. One IAF IL-76 aircraft also reached on the evening of December 28 with 20 MT of food, medicines, clothing and blankets worth US $23,000 and two more IL-76 aircraft reached on the evening of December 30, carrying a mobile medical team each.
7. Two Indian naval vessels, with integrated helicopters, have been sent to Maldives. They are carrying emergency food supplies, communication equipment, water and medicine, as well as small boats with outboard motors. A third vessel, a supply tanker with approximately 3000 MT of supplies, water and fuel reached Maldives on the evening of December 30. Two IAF Avros have already been sent to Male to assist in relief operations. One airdropping mission was launched on the morning of December 27 with 2 MT of food and medicines. One IAF IL-76 is on standby to transport more material assistance to the Maldives.
