"The PMI`s next duty is a readiness for an overseas deployment, because they (foreign countries) have also assisted us so much when we faced such disasters such as the Aceh tsunami and Yogyakarta earthquake," Kalla said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has asked volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to be ready for an overseas deployment to help other countries in need during major natural disasters and humanity crises.
"The PMIs next duty is a readiness for an overseas deployment, because they (foreign countries) have also assisted us so much when we faced such disasters such as the Aceh tsunami and Yogyakarta earthquake," Kalla, who chairs the PMI, stated here on Monday.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 17 members of the PMI-Jakarta Chapters 2017-2022 advisory and executive boards here, he noted that Indonesia should be able to show that its PMI volunteers could also assist other countries.
Among the countries that had helped Indonesia were Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Pakistan. "Our nation does not only receive help but also provide help to others," he asserted.
He also reminded the PMIs executive board members and volunteers to firmly uphold the seven principles of the PMI and the Indonesian Red Crescent in conducting their disaster mitigation and humanitarian missions.
Thus, the PMI volunteers were asked to work for humanity with zero discrimination and maintain the principles of universality and individuality by not relying on the government or other parties while performing their noble duties, he reiterated.
Siti Hediati Hariyadi, daughter of late Suharto (former Indonesian president), has been appointed to chair the PMI-Jakarta Chapters Advisory Council, while Muhammad Ali Reza heads the PMI-Jakarta Chapters executive board.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by, among others, the new Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and Suhartos eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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