India Launches Operation Amistad for Earthquake Relief in Venezuela
India launched 'Operation Amistad' on Friday to send relief to earthquake-hit Venezuela. Two Indian Air Force C-17 transport planes, carrying doctors, a fully portable field hospital, equipment, and supplies, took off from Hindon Air Base near Delhi. 'Amistad' is Spanish for 'friendship', reflecting the bond with the Spanish-speaking South American nation.
Details of the Relief Mission
The IAF planes will refuel in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) on the west coast of Africa en route. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X, 'Two IAF C17s took off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts. The assistance contains an Indian Army Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tons of relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment.' He added that India is committed to supporting the government and people of Venezuela in this difficult time.
The BHISHM Cube: A State-of-the-Art Medical Facility
A key initiative is the portable self-contained field hospital called the BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri). It is a state-of-the-art, indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facility designed for disaster and humanitarian response. Comprising compact, self-contained medical modules, it can be quickly assembled into a fully functional field hospital capable of delivering advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries, intensive care support, and essential medical treatment for up to 200 patients. Equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, power generation, and oxygen support systems, the BHISHM Cube enhances India’s capability to provide swift and effective medical assistance during humanitarian crises anywhere in the world.
Indian Army Medical Contingent Deployed
The Indian Army’s specialized medical contingent from 60 Para Field Hospital is on board the IAF planes. The contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, and is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support, and other essential health care services to those affected by the earthquake. The Army team is carrying approximately six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
India's Commitment to Humanitarian Assistance
The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad reflects India’s enduring commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and its readiness to extend timely support to friendly nations in times of crisis. This mission underscores India's growing role in global disaster response and its ability to deploy advanced indigenous technology like the BHISHM Cube for international aid.
