India will join relief efforts for victims of Katrina-hit New Orleans in United States with an Indian Air Force aircraft flying 25 tonnes of specialised relief on Wednesday.
The relief comprising 50,000 first-aid kits, blankets, cots and pillows with 5,00,000 packed rations would be flown by the medium lift IL-76, which will take off from New Delhi in the morning, Defence ministry officials said.
"This will constitute first relief mission from India for the hurricane Katrina devastated parts of US," an IAF spokesman said.
India has already kept specialised medical teams and medical relief on 24 hours standby to be flown to New Orleans after receiving a go ahead from US authorities.
The US government has already accepted the Indian government's offer of 5 million dollar to the American Red Cross for use in disaster relief in the wake of the hurricane, a US embassy statement said.
The IAF IL-76 aircraft will be routed via Doha, Cairo, Lisbon and Boston to reach New Orleans on September 9, the IAF official said.
US Ambassador David C Mulford has said that the embassy officials are working with their Indian counterparts on the administrative and logistical details to ensure the expedited delivery of any needed supplies.
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