INDIAN AIR FORCE FLIES IN MEDICAL AID TO SRILANKA

India today dispatched a team of 27 doctors and paramedics to the war ravaged northern Sri Lanka for the benefit of the devastated civilian Tamil population. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft took off from New Delhi for Colombo this morning with the medical team, including a surgeon and paediatrician. The team is also carrying about 30 tonnes of medicines worth over Rs. 3 crore to replenish stores at the Field Hospital run by the Indian Armed Forces in a camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

India has deployed a self-contained Emergency Medical Unit with Hospital in Sri Lanka since March 2009. The 110-bed facility comprises of 62 members including eight doctors and paramedics. It has been operating out of Pulmoddai town on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The Hospital provides urgent medical care to civilians evacuated out of the conflict zone by the Red Cross (ICRC) in ships. The hospital has so far treated more than 3,000 war wounded and trauma patients.

In view of the greater requirement in and around Vavuniya, India's Emergency Medical Unit with Hospital is being shifted to Menik Farm Area Zone 1 near Vavuniya which has a significant IDP population in need of medical care.

India has been providing urgent relief assistance to civilians affected by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka. To further augment our effort in light of the large number of civilians who have been evacuated from the conflict zone, Prime Minister has approved a grant of Rs 100 crores (Rs 1 billion) for providing humanitarian relief assistance to civilians. Separately, state government of Tamil Nadu has also pledged Rs 25 crores. In addition, the Government of India is also working on a rehabilitation and reconstruction package for northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

India's relief assistance so far has included food, clothing, medicines and other essential supplies. Since November 2008, Government of India has provided 1.7 lakh family relief packs for lDPs and civilians affected by the conflict. The packs include dry rations, personal hygiene items, clothes, utensils and water purification tablets. Two consignments of medicines have been handed over to Sri Lanka. Shelter material worth Rs. 15 crores will be dispatched to Sri Lanka shortly to provide temporary housing for IDPs. Further relief assistance is in the pipeline, including demining, provision of civil infrastructure and reconstruction of houses.