The involvement of volunteers in disaster handling is extraordinaryJakarta (ANTARA) - Regional Representatives Council (DPD) speaker A. A. LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti appealed to the Indonesian government to laud and give rewards to the volunteers involved in disaster handling in the country.
In his written statement received here on Wednesday, Mattalitti assessed that giving rewards and praising those disaster volunteers were deemed important, as they had helped the government in handling various disasters in Indonesia, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
"The involvement of volunteers in disaster handling is extraordinary. Personally, I highly salute and laud them for their support," he remarked.
Mattalitti noted that facts on the field reflected the high levels of enthusiasm among the community or volunteer groups from the community in handling disasters.
The DPD speaker remarked that volunteers at times even spent from their pockets to reach the disaster locations.
Moreover, some of the volunteers temporarily left their jobs to help disaster victims, he pointed out.
"They leave their families for days and even weeks," he added.
To this end, Mattalitti assessed that those volunteers deserve rewards from the government.
He noted that at least, the rewards can, in a way, make up for the time, efforts, or money spent, although the volunteers harbored no expectations in return.
"I think the volunteers do not expect anything in return because they are sincere in helping the disaster victims. Nevertheless, the government should give attention to them. At least, it (the reward) can help to meet their basic needs and serve as a sign of gratitude," he stated.
Mattalitti noted that the government of Batu City, East Java, can serve as an example for the government in giving rewards to disaster volunteers.
He noted that the Batu city government had offered assistance in the form of basic needs to volunteer gravediggers that helped the government in the funeral process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related news: Muhammadiyah thanks COVID-19 handling volunteers
Related news: Mt. Semeru eruption operation's volunteers receive BPJS TK-BPU cards
Related news: COVID-19 Task Force to train one thousand West Sumatran volunteers
Translator: Tri Meilani, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
