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The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025, prompted a swift and comprehensive response from India, highlighting the nation's commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) in the region. The immediate aftermath of the earthquake saw a surge in casualties and widespread destruction, underscoring the urgent need for international aid and support. In response to this crisis, India launched “Operation Brahma,” a multi-faceted initiative designed to provide critical relief and rescue assistance to the affected populations in Myanmar. This operation involved the deployment of medical teams, the establishment of field hospitals, and the delivery of essential supplies via air and sea, demonstrating India's capacity to rapidly mobilize resources and personnel in times of crisis. The article details the initial phases of Operation Brahma, focusing on the deployment of an Indian Army field hospital team to Mandalay, one of the cities most severely impacted by the earthquake. The advanced party of the 118-personnel team landed at Mandalay International Airport on Sunday, March 30, 2025, tasked with conducting site reconnaissance to determine the optimal location for establishing a fully functional field hospital. This initial assessment is crucial for ensuring that the hospital is strategically positioned to maximize its accessibility to those in need and to facilitate efficient medical care delivery. The establishment of a field hospital is a complex undertaking, requiring careful coordination and logistical planning. The team must consider factors such as the availability of water and electricity, the proximity to transportation routes, and the overall security situation in the area. Moreover, the hospital needs to be equipped with a wide range of medical supplies, including medications, surgical instruments, and diagnostic equipment, to address the diverse healthcare needs of the affected population. The swift deployment of the Indian Army's medical team underscores India's commitment to providing timely and effective assistance to Myanmar in the wake of this devastating earthquake. The establishment of the field hospital will significantly enhance the capacity of the local healthcare system to cope with the surge in patients and to provide essential medical care to those who have been injured or displaced by the disaster.
In addition to the deployment of the field hospital team, the Indian Navy played a critical role in Operation Brahma by dispatching four naval ships to Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, with substantial quantities of relief material. The ships, Satpura and Savitri, sailed from Visakhapatnam, while Karmuk and LCU 52 departed from the Andaman and Nicobar Command, collectively carrying approximately 52 tonnes of essential supplies. These supplies included humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) pallets, comprising essential clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency stores. The provision of these essential supplies is crucial for meeting the immediate needs of the affected population, who may have lost their homes, possessions, and access to basic necessities. The relief material will help to alleviate suffering and to prevent the spread of disease in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Indian Navy's contribution to Operation Brahma highlights the importance of maritime capabilities in disaster relief operations. Naval ships can rapidly transport large quantities of supplies and personnel to affected areas, overcoming logistical challenges associated with damaged infrastructure or limited air transport capacity. The deployment of multiple ships from different naval commands demonstrates India's ability to mobilize its naval assets effectively and to respond swiftly to humanitarian crises in the region. Furthermore, the inclusion of LCU 52, a landing craft utility vessel, suggests that the Indian Navy is prepared to provide assistance even in areas with limited port facilities or damaged infrastructure. This vessel can transport supplies and personnel directly to shore, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most, regardless of the logistical challenges involved.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) also played a crucial role in the initial response to the Myanmar earthquake, utilizing its transport aircraft to airlift critical supplies and personnel to the affected areas. Within hours of the earthquake, an IAF C-130 aircraft was dispatched with relief material, demonstrating India's rapid response capability. Subsequently, three C-130Js and two C-17s were used to airlift 96.3 tonnes of critical supplies and 198 personnel from the Army Medical Corps and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF). The airlift of these supplies and personnel was essential for providing immediate assistance to the affected population and for coordinating relief efforts on the ground. The Army Medical Corps personnel will provide medical care and support to the injured, while the NDRF personnel will assist with search and rescue operations and the distribution of relief supplies. The IAF's ability to rapidly deploy these resources underscores its importance in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The use of C-130Js and C-17s, both highly capable transport aircraft, allows the IAF to transport large quantities of supplies and personnel over long distances, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most in a timely manner. The coordinated efforts of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in Operation Brahma demonstrate India's commitment to providing comprehensive humanitarian assistance to Myanmar in the wake of this devastating earthquake. This multi-faceted response highlights India's capacity to mobilize its resources effectively and to respond swiftly to humanitarian crises in the region.
The Indian government's response to the Myanmar earthquake also included high-level diplomatic engagement, reflecting the importance that India places on its relationship with Myanmar. Shortly after the earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Senior General of Myanmar junta Aung Min Hlaing and assured him of India's “humanitarian assistance” to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake. This phone call underscores the political dimension of India's humanitarian assistance efforts, signaling India's willingness to engage with the Myanmar government and to provide support in times of crisis. The Prime Minister's assurance of “humanitarian assistance” reinforces India's commitment to upholding its humanitarian principles and to providing aid to those in need, regardless of political considerations. The Indian government's diplomatic engagement with Myanmar is also important for ensuring that aid reaches the affected population effectively and efficiently. By working closely with the Myanmar government, India can coordinate its relief efforts and ensure that aid is distributed in a fair and equitable manner. Furthermore, diplomatic engagement can help to address any logistical or security challenges that may arise during the relief operation. The comprehensive response of the Indian government to the Myanmar earthquake, encompassing military, naval, air force, and diplomatic elements, demonstrates India's commitment to providing comprehensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbors in times of crisis. Operation Brahma represents a significant undertaking that highlights India's capacity to mobilize its resources effectively and to respond swiftly to humanitarian needs in the region. The success of this operation will depend on the continued coordination and collaboration between the various agencies involved, as well as the ongoing support of the international community. The long-term recovery of Myanmar from this devastating earthquake will require sustained efforts and resources, and India is committed to playing a leading role in this process.
Source: Myanmar earthquake: Army team inducted at Mandalay, recce on to set up field hospital