It reflects the strong friendship and partnership between the two countries.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia received 150 ventilators donated by residents of New York City, United States, through the State-Owned Enterprises’ Foundation (Yayasan BUMN).

United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Sung Kim, handed over the aid to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten.

"Yayasan BUMN is honored to be trusted by New York residents to disburse their donations. The ventilators are currently needed by Indonesia," the minister said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.

Yayasan BUMN is an independent foundation established by the SOEs Ministry in early 2021 to collect and distribute assistance from the private companies for handling COVID-19, he informed.

"We have received many assistance -- ventilators, masks, and medicines -- from various private players. Currently, there are 36 private companies collaborating with us, while PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk is providing transportation," he stated.


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Furthermore, Thohir also lauded the American citizens and government for the assistance. He also thanked the nation as one of the countries that has shown concern towards the handling of the pandemic in Indonesia.

"Indonesia and the United States have built a sincere and encouraging friendship since we share the same norm as democratic countries," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Sung Kim praised Thohir for his initiative and leadership in helping tackle the pandemic in Indonesia.

"Thanks to his efforts, New York City residents have been inspired to donate the ventilators to help save and recover more people from COVID-19," he said.

The aid proves that the American private sector continues to support the handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia, even without government involvement, he added.


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"It reflects the strong friendship and partnership between the two countries," the ambassador stated.

He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in dealing with the global pandemic.

The United States government has given over 8 million doses of Moderna vaccine, one thousand ventilators, and provided more than $65 million in COVID-19 assistance to Indonesia, he noted.

"I hope our partnership manages to (help us) overcome the pandemic and bring us towards a rapid economic recovery. Moreover, I wish all Indonesian friends a happy Independence Day. Resilient Indonesia, Growing Indonesia," he added.


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Translator: Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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