New Delhi (NVI): In a major humanitarian gesture, India is sending 2000 metric tonnes of rice as a gift to Syria which is facing a crisis because of ongoing conflict.
Out of the total consignment, 1000 metric tonnes have already been handed over to the Syrian government and the rest will reach Syria in a week, the government said today.
“In response to a request from the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic for emergency humanitarian assistance, Government of India is gifting 2000 MT of rice to strengthen food security in Syria,” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement here.
The first consignment of 1000 MT of rice was handed over by Indian Ambassador to Syria Dr. Hifzur Rahman to the Minister of Local Administration and Head of Supreme Relief Committee Hussain Makhlouf yesterday at Latakia Port. The remaining 1000 MT of rice is expected to reach Syria on February 18, 2021, it said.
Earlier, India had gifted 10 MT of medicines to Syria in July last year as part of Covid assistance.
“India and Syria have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations. The Government of India has always stood in solidarity with the people of Syria, and our bilateral engagement has continued apace even during the years of internal conflict there through a number of development and capacity building projects,” the statement said.
In January last year, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in partnership with Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), organised a camp in Damascus for artificial limbs (Jaipur foot) fitment, which benefited over 500 Syrians, it said.
During the academic years 2018-19 and 2019-20, 1000 scholarships were extended to Syrian students for pursuing bachelors, masters and post-doctoral programmes in Indian universities under ‘Study in India’ initiative. India is also establishing a NextGen Centre for Information Technology in Damascus, for which preparatory work has commenced.
