President Kovind flags off Red Cross relief supply for flood-affected people in Assam, Bihar

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday flagged off nine trucks of relief supplies from Rashtrapati Bhavan for the flood-affected people of Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 

Red Cross relief supplies will be carried from Delhi to the concerned states by train and will be received by the state Red Cross branches of respective states.

The President of India is the President of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS).

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan was also present. Officials of President’s Secretariat and IRCS were also present on the occasion.

The relief material included items such as tarpaulins, tents, saris, dhotis, cotton blankets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, bed sheets, buckets and two water purification units. In addition, COVID-19 protection items such as surgical masks, PPE kits, gloves and face shields are also part of the relief material flagged off by President Kovind.

राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द ने हाल ही में आई बाढ़ और कोविड-19 महामारी से प्रभावित असम, बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश के लोगों के लिए राहत सामग्री के नौ ट्रकों को राष्ट्रपति भवन से रवाना किया। स्वास्थ्य मंत्री @DrHarshVardhan और @IndianRedCross के अधिकारी भी इस अवसर पर उपस्थित थे। pic.twitter.com/yG36alflU1

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 24, 2020

These items are meant to safeguard and protect health workers associated with IRCS medical services in these states as well as the volunteers of IRCS who are at the forefront of flood relief and rehabilitation efforts, a statement by the President's Secretariat said. 

The supply of the above materials is in continuation and in addition to the material already provided by IRCS to be distributed by the state Red Cross branches to the affected people, it added. 

On the occasion of flagging off, RK Jain, General Secretary, IRCS briefed the President on the initiatives and the work done by IRCS to serve the people affected by floods and COVID-19 in different parts of the country.