Embassy of IndiaYangon, Myanmar

Embassy of India

Yangon

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Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

As a responsible neighbor and a committed regional partner, India has consistently demonstrated its dedication to supporting the people of Myanmar during times of crisis. Guided by its overarching foreign policy principles —Neighborhood First and Act East—India's engagement with Myanmar is rooted in shared history, geographical proximity, and enduring people-to-people ties.

In keeping with its role as a first responder to humanitarian emergencies, India has promptly and effectively extended support to the people of Myanmar across a range of natural disasters and public health crisis. These include:

India’s timely contributions—whether through medical aid, disaster relief supplies, or technical support—underscore its unwavering commitment to regional cooperation and humanitarian outreach. India remains steadfast in its resolve to be a reliable partner to Myanmar, especially during moments of need. The highlights of some of the key HADR Operations are as follows:

Operation Sahayata (Cyclone Nargis)

In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, India launched 'Operation Sahayata (help) to provide relief to the survivors of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Two Indian Naval ships – INS Rana and INS Kirpan – carried immediate relief and medical supplies and eight Indian Air Force aircrafts delivered immediate relief material, including food grains, tents, roofing material and medical supplies to Myanmar. Two self-sustained medical teams, comprising 47 doctors and supporting staff, were in the cyclone-affected areas for more than two weeks. India also provided cash assistance of US$ 200,000 for the reconstruction of the Shwedagon Pagoda Complex in Yangon. In the rehabilitation phase, India had supplied 1020 tonnes of corrugated steel sheets for roofing, 500 solar torches & lanterns and 1.8 lakh bottles of I.V. fluids and undertook supply of transformers and other necessary items required by Myanmar.

Earthquake in Shan State

Government of India had announced assistance of US$ 1 million for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation in the areas affected by the severe earthquake in Shan State in March 2011.

Cyclone Komen

On August 4, 2015, Government of Myanmar welcomed international assistance for the flood response. Government of India was specifically requested to send emergency supplies of rice and medicines by air to locations that are hard to reach through other means. In response, Government of India dispatched emergency relief supplies to Myanmar. Indian Air Force aircraft had delivered supplies to Kalay and Mandalay and to supply other affected areas as advised by the Myanmar authorities.

Bagan Earthquake

More than 100 Stupas and Pagodas in Bagan were damaged during a severe 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 24^th August, 2016. Government of India decided that it would extend technical and financial support to the Government of Myanmar for conservation and restoration of damaged structures including chemical preservation of mural paintings. The first phase comprising of 12 monuments were restored and handed over in December 2024.

Influenza outbreak

Following a request from Ministry of Health of Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in connection with the outbreak of the H1N1 flu in Myanmar, the Government of India sent a consignment of emergency medical assistance to help the health authorities in Myanmar to deal with and contain the outbreak. The assistance, consisting of vaccine doses, diagnostic kits, Tamiflu syrup and tablets and specialized face masks, arrived at Yangon International Airport on 2^nd August 2017 and was handed over immediately to the Myanmar health authorities. The Government of India dispatched a second consignment of emergency assistance on 9^th August 2017. The consignment consisted of 5,000 Diagnostic kits containing Primers and Probes, RNA extraction kits, viral transport medium. It also included 20,000 N-95 face masks. The same was handed over to the officials of the Central Medical Stores Depot, Yangon.

Cyclone Mora

Cyclone Mora wreaked havoc on Myanmar’s west coast on 30 May 2017, leaving a trail of destruction across Rakhine and Chin states and parts of the Irrawaddy Delta. The Government of India provided immediate relief material through INS Gharial, which carried clothing, tents, rehabilitation supplies, medical assistance, etc.

Relief Assistance for displaced persons in the Rakhine State

On 21 January 2020, Government of India’s relief assistance for the civilians of Rakhine State, displaced as a consequence of ongoing conflict, was delivered in Sittwe. The relief material consisted of 20,000 kits of food stuff and temporary shelters, etc.

Vaccine Maitri

Vaccine Maitri (COVID-19 Response and Relief Assistance) was a significant initiative in support of Myanmar's battle against the pandemic, the Government of India handed over multiple consignments of medical aid. This included 20 million doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine, medical devices, equipment, medicines, oxygen plants, and tanks.

Prior to the delivery of vaccines on 22 January 2021, a ‘training for trainers’ programme, covering administrative and operational aspects, was also conducted on 19-20 January 2021 for immunization managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers of Myanmar, both at national and provincial levels.

Donation of rice and wheat to Myanmar

The Government of India donated 10,000 MTs of Non-Basmati Parboiled Rice and 200 MTs of Wheat to Myanmar as Humanitarian Aid. The rice and wheat bags were distributed to the households in 11 townships including Seik Gyi Khanaungto Township, Dala Township, Shwe Pyi Tar Township and Hlaing Thar Yar Township in Yangon Region.

Operation Karuna (Cyclone Mocha)

India as the first responder to natural disasters in the region started Operation Karuna on 18 May 2023 to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) materials for the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. Three Indian Navy Ships INS Shivalik, INS Kamorta and INS Savitri brought around 40 tonnes of materials on 18 May 2023. The fourth ship INS Gharial brought additional materials, mostly medicines and medical items on 19 May 2023. All HADR materials were immediately airlifted for the Rakhine State and distributed among the affected communities.

Operation Sadbhav (Typhoon Yagi)

In solidarity with the people of Myanmar and as a first responder to natural disasters in the region, India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to those affected by flash floods caused by Typhoon Yagi. Under Operation Sadbhav, 32 tonnes of HADR aid were delivered by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft in Naypyitaw on 17 September 2024, for distribution in the affected central and northern parts of Myanmar. In addition, an Indian Navy (IN) Ship INS Satpura brought a second consignment or 21 tonnes or HADR aid to Yangon also for similar distribution. The delivery of consignments in two different locations, Naypyitaw and Yangon, helped deliver and distribute HADR aid more effectively, more speedily and closer to the affected areas. All HADR materials were for immediate distribution across the different affected areas and the different affected communities.

2200 MT of rice to the people of Myanmar

In a gesture of solidarity and compassion, the Government of India has donated 2200 Metric Tonnes of Indian white rice for the people of Myanmar. This contribution is expected to benefit approximately 140,000 needy individuals, including children, women, youth, elderly people and persons with disabilities, people from Rehabilitation centres and temporary shelters and disaster effected people. This humanitarian aid came in response to a request for relief assistance from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (MSWRR), Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Operation Brahma (March 2025 Earthquake)

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, India launched "Operation Brahma", a comprehensive humanitarian rescue and relief exercise to provide immediate support to the affected people of Myanmar. "Operation Brahma" was an embodiment of India's offering of hope, support, and assistance for long­term recovery to the people of Myanmar. The massive earthquake and its aftershocks have affected people across Myanmar including in Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Shan and Bago regions.

As First Responder to natural disasters in the region, India swiftly mobilized emergency assistance, a team of rescue and medical professionals, relief materials including food, water, tents, medicines, and essential supplies to assist Myanmar and its people, during this difficult and critical hour of need.

Emergency Supplies and Relief Assistance

On 29 March 2025, an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft delivered the first tranche of 15 tons of humanitarian assistance in Yangon, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines. Further augmenting our substantial assistance, two Indian Navy ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 31 tons and 19 tons of HADR aid respectively, arrived in Yangon on 31 March 2025. The aid was immediately handed over at the Thilawa port for distribution among the affected areas.

A large 442 tonnes consignment of food aid (rice, cooking oil, noodles & biscuits) carried by INS Gharial arrived at Thilawa Port on 5^th April 2025 and IAF C-17 aircraft landed directly in Mandalay on 6^th April 2025 with replenishment of food aids for needy communities.

Medical and Search and Rescue team

On the night of 29 March 2025, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft landed in Naypyitaw transporting an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search and rescue team, and over 120 medical personnel, together with a total of 85 tonnes of HADR assistance. These were the first international assistance flights to Naypyitaw. The NDRF team and the Indian Army Medical team departed for Mandalay immediately thereafter.

The NDRF team was deployed to over a dozen affected sites in Mandalay since 30 March 2025. The NDRF team also set up mobile clinic with a doctor and 4 paramedics in Mandalay on 4 April 2025. More than 230 patients were provided with medical care in a free mobile camp.

The Indian Army medical team had set up Field Hospital at the old airport in Mandalay. A total of 2,519 patients were treated at the hospital, including Major surgeries - 55, Minor surgeries - 307, Lab investigations - 6888, X-rays – 993. A specialized team led by an Orthopedic specialist assisted in the treatment of 70 patients at the Nay Pyi Taw hospital. 

Technical Assistance

Expanding its support under Operation Brahma, the Indian technical team continued to assist Myanmar authorities in post-earthquake recovery efforts. After completing assessments at six critical sites in Mandalay, the Indian safety and demolition engineering team carried out evaluations at six additional sites in Naypyitaw. A six-member Indian Army Engineer team also conducted a reconnaissance of a damaged bridge connecting the Mandalay–Naypyitaw route. Notably, the team assisted in assessing the historic Old Ava railway bridge over the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay.

Construction Material and Prefab

The relief assistance included 20 prefabricated units, installed at Ministry of Planning and Finance and around 250 MT of cement to Myanmar for earthquake reconstruction assistance. Overall, 9 IAF aircrafts and 5 Indian Navy Ships and one Myanmar Navy Ship have carried approximately 1000 MT of HADR aid to Myanmar.