United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission
The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was created by the United Nations in 1974 to supervise the implementation of the disengagement agreement between Israeli and Syrian forces and maintain peace between the two sides. It is currently deployed along the Area of Separation (AOS) between the Syrian and Israeli borders of the Golan Heights.
Background on the UNDOF mission
UNDOF is comprised of troops from various countries, including Fiji, India, Nepal, Ireland, and the Philippines. The mission is supported by a civilian staff of over 100 people.
Indian Army team deployed for relief efforts
Recently, the Indian Government sent an Indian Army team that was deployed in the UNDOF mission to provide relief material to earthquake-hit Syria. The Indian Army has deployed 180 personnel to deliver logistics assistance to the UNDOF mission.
A team of Indian Army personnel departed from India to Syria via Lebanon to deliver the relief material. The team was led by Major General Jose Mathew, who is the Force Commander of the UNDOF mission. The Indian Army team included soldiers from the 9th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles. The relief material provided by India included blankets, tents, food packets, and medical supplies. The aid was delivered to the local population affected by the earthquake in the Quneitra area of Syria.
India’s commitment to humanitarian aid
India has a long-standing commitment to providing humanitarian aid to countries affected by natural disasters or other crises. The Indian Army has played a key role in several such missions, including earthquake relief efforts in Nepal and Bhutan, flood relief in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, and tsunami relief in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
India has also been a major contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions around the world, including the UNDOF mission in Syria. As of January 2022, India is the third-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping forces, with over 5,000 Indian troops serving in various missions.
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