Cyclone Ditwah: PAF C-130, Navy ship deployed with 247 tonne of aid for Sri Lanka

WEB DESK: Following a directive from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, a specialised search and rescue team was dispatched earlier to the most affected regions in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of cyclone Ditwah. The Government of Pakistan has launched a comprehensive, multi-faceted relief mission, as swift and substantial response to the catastrophic storm damage in the South Asian country.

The aid effort is both significant and multi-modal. A Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft has been sent, carrying a 47-member team along with 6.5 tons of essential equipment to assist in on-ground operations. Concurrently, a substantial shipment of 200 tons of critical supplies, including tents, blankets, life jackets, water pumps, food, medicine, and infant formula, was sent via a Pakistan Navy ship the previous day. Further aid will also be routed through a Sri Lankan airline flight from Colombo to Lahore.

The scale of the assistance reflects the urgency of the crisis. The support includes not only immediate humanitarian goods but also specialised assets. In response to a specific request from the Sri Lankan President, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is deploying temporary bridges from the Pakistan Army to restore vital infrastructure links. Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are already on-site, actively participating in ongoing relief work.

Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, speaking at a send-off ceremony attended by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, emphasized that the NDMA is committed to combating the destructive impacts of disasters both at home and abroad. Ambassador Fred Sinoyeratne expressed profound gratitude for the immediate assistance from the people and government of Pakistan.

This robust response follows detailed consultations between Prime Minister Sharif and the Sri Lankan President, with outreach also being made to other storm-impacted nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The coordinated efforts underscore Pakistan’s commitment to providing sustained support to Sri Lanka in its hour of need.