Rohingya aid from India, Morocco, Indonesia arrives

India, Morocco and Indonesia today sent aid and emergency support for the Rohingyas in Bangladesh, who have fled into the country following persecution in Myanmar.

An Indian Air Force flight carrying the first tranche of aid – amounting to 53 tonnes – landed at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport around 1:30pm.

Ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader received the materials and thanked the neighbouring country for extending friendly assistance to Bangladesh.

Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Harsh Vardhan Shringla handed over 53 tonnes of rice, sugar, salt, biscuit, milk powder, soap, mosquito net and other materials.

Addressing the occasion, he appreciated the Bangladesh government for its effort to deal with the "unprecedented challenges".

"We appreciate the actions of the Government of Bangladesh in making every effort to deal with the urgent requirements of food, clothing and shelter for a large number of refugees that have placed a huge demand on its resources," he added.

He said that Indian government, in consultation with Bangladesh government, has decided to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to support the efforts of Bangladesh. 

"We are arranging to supply to each and every family of newly arrived refugees a 15-kg pack consisting of parboiled rice, lentils, sugar, salt, biscuits, milk powder and other edibles, in addition to soap, mosquito nets and other items of utility," he also said. 

It is the first shipment of India's massive 7,000-tonne relief assurance for Bangladesh, our local staff correspondent reports from the spot.

Earlier today, a flight carrying 14 tonnes of relief materials from Morocco landed at Chittagong and was received by Chittagong Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman.

The materials including four tonnes of rice, two tonnes of baby food, medicine, quilts and tents for temporary shelter will be forwarded to Cox's Bazar at the earliest, the official said. 

Meanwhile, two Indonesian flights carrying aids for the Rohingya refugees arrived at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport at 5:00pm and 7:00pm.

Indonesian ambassador to Dhaka Rina Prihtyasmiarsi Soemarno handed over the relief materials to Chittagong Deputy Commissioner M Zillur Rahman and Additional deputy commissioner (education) of Chittagong Habibur Rahman respectively at separate ceremonies at the airport this evening.

The first flight carried 4.5 tonnes of big tents (10 pieces) and 2.5 tonnes of blankets (5,000 pieces), and the other flight carried 10 tonnes of rice and one tonne of sugar.