New Delhi, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India is emerging as one of the leading global responders to natural disasters, with its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations expanding beyond its immediate neighbourhood, according to a report published in The Jerusalem Post.
Former Indian ambassador to Thailand and Kenya Suchitra Duri wrote that India’s rapid, need-based assistance during emergencies has strengthened its reputation as a reliable first responder and contributor to global humanitarian efforts.
She traced the development of India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which she described as a major milestone in the country’s institutional preparedness.
The report highlighted several major Indian relief operations. In December 2014, India launched Operation Neer after the Maldives’ sole desalination plant broke down. Indian aircraft and naval ships supplied more than 1,500 tonnes of drinking water, with India becoming the first country to respond to the Maldives’ request.
Following the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, India launched Operation Maitri within six hours of the initial tremors. The mission involved evacuating stranded Indians and foreign nationals, transporting hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies and establishing field hospitals. India later announced a rehabilitation and reconstruction package of about $2 billion for Nepal.
India also carried out major relief missions in Myanmar and Sri Lanka in 2025 through Operation Brahma and Operation Sagar Bandhu, respectively. In earthquake-hit Myanmar, a tri-services operation conducted with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) delivered more than 750 tonnes of materials and equipment, including medicines and food supplies, besides establishing field hospitals.
In Sri Lanka, India provided food, medicines, equipment and other essentials following Cyclone Ditwah, including more than 1,000 tonnes of dry rations.
Beyond the region, India launched Operation Dost after devastating earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria in 2023. The mission deployed more than 250 search-and-rescue personnel, medical teams and dog squads, besides emergency supplies.
India also provided disaster assistance to cyclone-hit Mozambique in 2019 and Malawi in 2023.
Duri noted that India undertook what she described as its most ambitious HADR initiative on June 26, 2026, when two C-17 aircraft carrying 30 tonnes of humanitarian relief material and a 41-member team of rescue personnel and medical professionals reached earthquake-hit Venezuela.
India’s humanitarian outreach has also extended to the health sector. Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, the country supplied 300 million vaccine doses to 99 countries and two United Nations entities from January 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, along with essential medicines and medical assistance.
According to Duri, India’s disaster diplomacy has not been limited to emergency response. The country has also contributed to the establishment of an international tsunami warning system and launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, reflecting its focus on strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience globally.
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