Alreinamedia.com- President Joko Widodo has officially released humanitarian aid sent by the Indonesian government for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. The release was held at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 21 February 2023.
“This morning we will send four planes to Turkey and to Syria containing 140 tons of food and other logistical materials that are very much needed there,” the President said in his remarks.
The President said that previously the Indonesian government had also sent a search and rescue (SAR) team, a medical team, a field hospital, and a Hercules plane. The assistance was considered very helpful in the process of evacuating and rescuing the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
The President also hopes that the humanitarian assistance sent by the Indonesian government can help ease the burden of the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. “We hope that what we send will be able to help our brothers and sisters there,” said the President.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in her statement said that until now four Indonesian citizens (WNI) have died as a result of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. According to Retno, two bodies have been buried in Turkey and the other two will be interred in Indonesia.
“The Garuda plane that will bring aid to Turkey, when it returns will bring the two bodies plus 85 Indonesian citizens who were affected and they want to return to Indonesia,” said Foreign Minister Retno.
In addition, Retno also said that the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy and the Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto would also be heading to Turkey and Syria. Both of them will deliver humanitarian assistance directly from the Indonesian government to the local government.
“Of course he will hold a meeting and conduct an assessment of what can be assisted by the Indonesian side to the local government,”
Also attending the event were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, and Head of the Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Marsdya TNI Henri Alfiandi. (Arizki)
Redaktur: Erwin Syahril
