Latest news with #Humanitarian
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Arunachal Pradesh: BRO conducts medical camp in Upper Subansiri amid heavy rainfall
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], June 2 (ANI): As heavy rains continue to batter several north-eastern states, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) conducted a medical camp near Menga village, Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh. In a post on X, the BRO shared, 'On 31 May 2025, amid continuous rainfall, BRO India conducted a medical camp near Menga village, Upper Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh. Lecture @BROindia on tobacco hazards was delivered, followed by health check-ups, deworming of children, mosquito-borne disease awareness, and Odomos distribution. Free medicines were given based on clinical assessment. The camp benefited 41 individuals, including civilians and BRO personnel. @BROindia committed beyond infrastructure in nation-building.' Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted a critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation early this morning, rescuing 14 individuals stranded in the flooded Bomjir River in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Dibang Valley. According to Defence PRO, Guwahati, the operation was launched in response to an urgent request from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The stranded individuals, cut off from the mainland due to severe flooding, were airlifted to safety using an IAF Mi-17 helicopter. On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in response to the ongoing heavy rainfall affecting these states. In an X post, Shah assured the states of all possible assistance from the central government to address any challenges arising from the situation. 'Spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of ongoing heavy rainfall in their states. Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast,' Shah on X. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Arunachal Pradesh for the coming week, till June 6, predicting 'very heavy rain, thunderstorm and Lightning' on May 31. Meanwhile, the weather department has forecasted 'heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning' from June 1 to 5 while predicting only 'heavy rain' on June 5 and 6. Earlier Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday offered condolences to the reported deaths of at least nine persons - seven in East Kameng district and two in Ziro valley - due to massive landslides triggered by incessant monsoon rains since last few days across the state and announced ex-gratia worth Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. In a statement, Chief Minister Khandu expressed grief at the loss of innocent lives and prayed for eternal peace and strength to bereaved family members. He announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the deceased's kin as per laid down government norms and assured assistance through the respective district administrations. (ANI)
Sky News
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
At least 26 people killed in Israeli attack near aid distribution site, Gaza health ministry says
At least 26 people have been killed near an aid distribution centre in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry. Earlier, a nearby hospital run by the Red Cross reported that at least 21 people had been killed. The hospital, which has been receiving bodies and the wounded, also said another 175 people had been injured. Witnesses said the deaths came after Israeli forces opened fire at a roundabout near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub, a new aid organisation backed by Israel and the US. However, Palestinian and Hamas-linked media have attributed the deaths it has reported on to an Israeli airstrike. It is not yet clear if eyewitnesses and Hamas-affiliated media are giving different accounts of the same incident. Sky News has contacted the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) for comment. Witnesses tell of shooting The area where the reported shooting took place is controlled by Israeli forces. Ibrahim Abu Saoud, an eyewitness, said Israeli forces opened fire at people moving toward the aid distribution centre. "There were many martyrs, including women," the 40-year-old man said. "We were about 300 metres away from the military." Abu Saoud said he saw many people with gunshot wounds, including a young man who he said had died at the scene. "We weren't able to help him," he said. Mohammed Abu Teaima, 33, said he saw Israeli forces open fire and kill his cousin and another woman as they were heading to the hub. He said his cousin was shot in his chest and died at the scene. Many others were wounded, including his brother-in-law, he said. "They opened heavy fire directly toward us," he said as he was waiting outside the Red Cross field hospital for word on his wounded relative. Controversial new aid system The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) operates as part of a controversial aid system which Israel and the US says is aimed at preventing Hamas from siphoning off assistance. Israel has not provided any evidence of systematic diversion, and the UN denies it has occurred. The foundation's distribution of aid has been marred by chaos, and multiple witnesses have said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the delivery sites. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to work with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles because it allows Israel to control who receives aid and forces people to relocate to distribution sites, risking yet more mass displacement in the territory. Before Sunday, at least six people had been killed and more than 50 wounded, according to local health officials. 0:53 GHF says aid distributed 'without incident' The foundation says the private security contractors guarding its sites did not fire on the crowds, while the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions. The foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the hospital's claims. In an earlier statement, it said it distributed 16 truckloads of aid early on Sunday "without incident". It dismissed what it referred to as "false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos". Meanwhile, the UN's aid system has struggled to bring in aid after Israel slightly eased its total blockade of the territory last month. Those groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly two million Palestinians. Experts have warned that the Palestinian territory is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. 3:29 The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory, displaced around 90% of Gaza's population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Multi-agency flood relief exercise held on Sabarmati canal banks
Ahmedabad: A joint flood-relief exercise was conducted by the in collaboration with the ( ), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Gujarat Police, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) near the Sabarmati canal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The activity was aimed to improve coordination during natural disasters, especially floods. According to defence officers, the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise focused on building coordination among multiple agencies. The operation involved simulated flood rescue efforts, including rope-based evacuation, drone-based delivery of supplies, and the setting up of a relief camp. Brigadier Rajesh Kumar of CDR 85 Brigade said, "We conducted a demonstration to practise army flood relief operations. During such deployments, the army works closely with the NDRF to coordinate efforts effectively. Our 50-member team includes medical, engineering, and relief personnel, ensuring comprehensive rescue and aid. This exercise helped us understand their capabilities and improve coordination. " Defence officers said the exercise was designed to make each agency familiar with the others' work processes, so they can respond faster and work together during real emergencies. It also included a static display of equipment such as rescue boats, rope launchers, underwater diving kits, and air-drop delivery systems. An Army engineer unit, under the supervision of NDRF diving experts, carried out the rescue drills. The canal provided a setting that closely matches urban and semi-urban flood scenarios. According to officers, such conditions help in better preparation for real flood situations. The drill was part of the Army's broader effort to enhance disaster preparedness. Defence officers added that the exercise highlights the commitment of all participating agencies to stay ready and responsive during emergencies.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Yaqeen Hammad, 11-year-old activist and influencer, killed in Israeli strike
LONDON: Palestinian activist and social media influencer Yaqeen Hammad, 11, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over the weekend in northern Gaza, amid an intensifying Israeli military campaign. Yaqeen died on Friday night when Israeli forces shelled the Al-Baraka area in Deir Al-Balah. Her death came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the entire Gaza Strip under Israeli control by the end of the war. Known throughout Gaza for her radiant smile, optimism, and humanitarian work, Yaqeen had become a symbol of resilience in a region devastated by conflict. Alongside her older brother, Mohamed Hammad, she delivered food, toys, and clothing to displaced families. She was also an active member of Ouena, a Gaza-based nonprofit focused on aid and relief efforts. 'I try to bring a bit of joy to the other children so that they can forget the war,' she once wrote on social media. Despite her young age, Yaqeen had gained a large following for her ability to bring comfort and positivity to others during wartime. According to the Palestine Chronicle, she also shared practical survival tips for living under siege, such as cooking without gas, a common hardship in Gaza caused by repeated blockades and infrastructure destruction. Always seen with a radiant smile and unwavering spirit, 11-year-old Yaqeen Hammad was a beacon of hope in Palestine's Gaza. But on May 23, her bright future was tragically cut short by an Israeli air strike. IG | TRT World — αпiпδιтα (@_SyncreticWorld) May 26, 2025 News of her death triggered an outpouring of grief on social media and in Gaza. Activists, journalists, and followers mourned the loss of a child who had become a symbol of light during one of Gaza's darkest times. 'Always seen with a radiant smile and unwavering spirit, 11-year-old Yaqeen Hammad was a beacon of hope in Palestine's Gaza,' read one tribute on X. Photojournalist Mahmoud Bassam wrote: 'Her body may be gone, but her impact remains a beacon of humanity.' Yaqeen's death comes as Israeli airstrikes intensify despite ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend, more than 100 people were killed, including 52 on Monday, when a strike hit a school-turned-shelter where many were sleeping. The ongoing bombardment has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. International organizations have condemned Israel's blockade on aid, saying that the enclave's 2.3 million residents are facing starvation.
Mint
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Meet Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi who briefed the nation on Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor: Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday briefed nation regarding India's missile strikes into Pakistan and PoK during midnight targetting nine terror camps as part of Operation Sindoor. Colonel Sofiya Quershi is an officer from the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. She has etched her name into military history with numerous groundbreaking accomplishments. At just 35, she carries a legacy that continues to inspire many and leads by example, both on and off the field. In March 2016, then Lieutenant Colonel Qureshi made history by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise. The event, Exercise Force 18, remains the largest foreign military exercise ever hosted by India. Conducted in Pune from March 2 to March 8, the war games brought together forces from 18 nations, including ASEAN countries and major global powers such as Japan, Russia, China, the United States, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. Qureshi headed her team in critical training segments emphasising on Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). According to reports, she served as a military observer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006 and has been actively involved in peacekeeping operations since 2010, a field in which she continues to make distinguished contributions. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh's journey to the Air Force started with a dream when she was in school days as she wanted to fly. Her name 'Vyomika' suggests one who lives in the sky or the daughter of the sky. She went on to pursue her goal by joining National Cadet Corps (NCC) and earned a degree in engineering. Vyomika became the first person in her family to be a part of armed forces. She was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. In December 18, 2019, she received a permanent commission in the flying branch. She has operated different helicopters like Cheetah and Chetak in difficult terrains in J&K, Northeast. Vyomia has logged over 2500 flying hours and participated in different missions, where the major one was in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020, reports said. India hit four in Pakistan, comprising Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), according to ANI sources. Markaz Subhan Allah Bahawalpur 2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke 4. Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialko 5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala, Bhimber 7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, located in Kotli District 9. Shawai Nallah Camp in Muzaffarabad
