Special Correspondent
A Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) aircraft departed from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Lebanon on Sunday carrying humanitarian aid for the victims of Beirut explosion, said an Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) press release.
The C-130J transport aircraft left with approximately two tonnes of medical supplies, eight tonnes of relief items and two tonnes of spares as per government decision to send humanitarian and relief assistance to the victims of the horrific explosion in Lebanon capital on August 4.
Group Captain Santanu Chowdhury BAF led the mission consisting of 12 BAF air crew. Chief of Air Staff of BAF Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat provided necessary guidance to carry out the mission. Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal M Abul Bashar briefed the media on the occasion.
BAF has always been providing air transport services to carry relief and humanitarian assistance to the victims of any disaster in the friendly countries as per the guidance of the government on an emergency basis. In line with this, emergency medical supplies, a physician and a technical team to assess the real scenario of the damaged Naval ship led by Rear Admiral Mohammad Mozammel Haque was sent to Lebanon as humanitarian assistance to help the affected Bangladeshi expatriate, local people of Lebanon and members of Bangladesh Navy deployed in UN peacekeeping operations in Beirut.
On the way back, the BAF C-130J aircraft will carry some Bangladeshi nationals living in Lebanon. The aircraft is expected to return home on 12 August this year.
Bangladesh has set a shining example of brotherhood by providing humanitarian assistance to deal with the crisis. It is expected that this humanitarian support from Bangladesh will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries.