We Care: How Indian Army's 'Operation Dost' is saving lives, winning hearts in Turkey

Source : India Today

Turkey has dubbed India a "dost" for its generosity in providing funds to the country following the earthquake's devastation (Image via Twitter)

A Turkish woman planting a kiss on the cheek of a woman Indian Army officer who is in the quake-hit nation for rescue-and-relief work is winning hearts.

The Indian Army shared the image of the two women with the caption, "We Care", perfectly encapsulating how quickly India acted to support its 'dost' Turkey.

India launched Operation Dost to extend assistance to Turkey as well as Syria after Monday's devastating quakes and aftershocks that toppled buildings and flattened cities.

So far, India has sent medical supplies, medics and search-and-rescue teams to dig through the rubble and find survivors. The toll has crossed over 17,100 in both Turkey and Syria and is expected to rise further.

Two days ago, India sent relief materials, a mobile hospital, and specialised search and rescue teams.

India has also sent relief materials aboard a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Syria.

Asked about sending aid to Syria when the country has been under US sanction, the government said India is following the G-20 mantra of "One Earth, One Family, One Future."

250 personnel have already been deployed in the worst-hit areas of Turkey and Syria. Specialised equipment and other relief materials weighing over 135 tonnes have also reached Turkey.

Three self-sustaining teams of the NDRF, numbering more than 150 specially trained personnel, along with Rambo and his friends (of the dog squad), specialised vehicles, and other supplies, have reached Turkey.

In addition, personnel and equipment have been sent to set up a 30-bed field hospital of the Indian Army.

The MEA said the hospital will provide a fully functional operation theatre and facilities such as X-rays and ventilators.

The NDRF teams are rendering assistance in rescue operations at Gaziantep while the medical team is setting up the field hospital in Iskenderun, the MEA said.

A team of officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, two of whom are Turkish speakers, has been deployed in Turkey to assist the teams involved in rescue-and-relief operations.

"India stands committed to extending all possible support to those affected by this devastating earthquake," the MEA said.

"Operation Dost is India's latest expression of being a first responder, a net security provider, and a country whose Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response is quick and available to countries not only in the neighbouring region, but also beyond," it said.

At the press conference, NDRF Director General Atul Karwal said the force was ready to send more teams.