New Delhi, 2 January (H.S.): India has announced immediate relief assistance of $5 lakh (about Rs 4.28 crore) to the island country of Vanuatu, which suffered massive loss of life and property in the devastating earthquake in the South Pacific Ocean last month.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement today that on December 17, an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck off the coast of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, causing massive destruction and loss of life and property. India expressed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Vanuatu for the damage and destruction caused by this unprecedented disaster and expressed its readiness to provide all possible assistance and cooperation in this difficult time.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that as a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a sign of solidarity with the friendly people of Vanuatu, the Government of India provides relief assistance of $5 lakh to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

The Ministry said that India has stood firmly with Vanuatu in times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters. Disaster risk reduction and management is an important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019. India is committed to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and remains a responsible and resolute responder in the region.

According to government data, 1800 Non Resident Indians (NRIs) live in Vanuatu. In the last one and a half years, 18 Indians have acquired citizenship there. Vanuatu is becoming a popular destination for Indians and people of the United Arab Emirates. People from European and Asian countries live the most here. It is less expensive than other countries and with the help of this passport one can travel to 55 countries of the world.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar