"Today, Indonesia sent out two thousand oxygen cylinders out of the 3,400 cylinders planned to be shipped to India. God Willing (Insha Allah), our brothers and sisters in India can benefit from the aid from their Indonesian brothers and sisters," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated in Jakarta on Friday.
The shipment of a total of 3,400 oxygen cylinders from Indonesia is expected to help India, as the country is facing a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Hartarto explained that the number of COVID-19 cases in India went down significantly back in December 2020 during which Indonesia learnt the strategy of stemming the spread of the virus in the country.
However, the number of cases spiked again at the start of 2021, from which Indonesia could also draw lessons. Hartarto, concurrently chief of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee, reminded the people of Indonesia to consistently and stringently adhere to health protocols in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita lauded industry makers that partook in oxygen distribution to India.
"The Indonesian government expresses its gratitude for the initiative and participation from the parties involved in the distribution of the aid, especially to the industry sector," he stated.
Kartasasmita is upbeat that the aid would help ease the burden on India that is currently bearing the brunt of a deadly wave of COVID-19.
The minister additionally noted that the aid mirrored Indonesia's commitment to helping India handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Translator: Sella Panduarsa Gareta/Aria Ci
Editor: Suharto
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