NEW DELHI: Becoming one of the first responders to the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, the Indian Army, in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), has launched Operation Amistad, deploying a specialised medical contingent to support humanitarian relief efforts in the affected region.The medical team from 60 Para Field Hospital departed on Friday from the Hindon air force station and is currently en route to Venezuela aboard two IAF aircraft.In a post on X, foreign minister S Jaishankar posted, “Operation Amistad underway. 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, including two BHISHM Cubes. India is committed to support the Govt and people of Venezuela in this difficult time.”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 healthcare services to those affected by the earthquake.The team is carrying approximately 6 tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by MEA. In addition, one of the two aircraft is transporting a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project. The BHISHM Cube is a state-of-the-art, indigenous, rapidly deployable modular medical facility designed specifically 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 significantly enhances India’s capability to provide swift and effective medical assistance during humanitarian crises anywhere in the world.The dispatch of the medical contingent under Op 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.
