India on Friday launched Operation Amistad, dispatching two Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying an Indian Army field hospital, a specialised medical team and over 35 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies to earthquake-hit Venezuela.
The relief mission, launched from the Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi, includes the Army's rapidly deployable BHISHM Cube field hospital, medical equipment, medicines and emergency supplies. The aircraft are scheduled to refuel in Côte d'Ivoire before continuing to Venezuela.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the operation on X, saying the assistance reflected India's commitment to supporting Venezuela in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
"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," Jaishankar posted.
He added that India remained committed to standing by the government and people of Venezuela during the crisis.
Also read: Death toll rises to 235 in Venezuela earthquakes, 4,300 injured
The operation's centrepiece is the BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri), an indigenously developed, modular field hospital designed for rapid deployment during disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
The self-contained facility can be quickly assembled into a fully operational field hospital capable of treating up to 200 patients. It is equipped with portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, intensive care facilities, oxygen support systems and power generation units, enabling advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries and critical medical treatment in disaster-hit areas.
A 41-member medical contingent from the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Hospital is accompanying the mission. The team comprises nine medical officers and other healthcare personnel trained to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical interventions and essential healthcare services.
The contingent is also carrying around six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The name Operation Amistad—Spanish for "friendship"—reflects India's solidarity with the Spanish-speaking South American nation.
The deployment underscores India's growing role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations and its readiness to provide rapid medical and humanitarian support to partner countries affected by natural disasters.
Follow us
