They will leave next week. We're trying to get them there as soon as possible. And this will be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in AfghanistanJakarta (ANTARA) - The Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Indonesia will send a surgical team to provide medical assistance for earthquake victims in Afghanistan.
"MER-C deems it necessary to send a surgical team to help manage the acute phase in the first two weeks. Therefore, we will send a surgical team," said Head of the MER-C Presidium Dr. Sarbini Abdul Murad at a press conference, here on Friday.
Considering the characteristics of the disaster that occurred as an earthquake, the team prepared by MER-C to assist the victims was a surgical team, consisting of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, general practitioners and nurses.
"So the possibility of personnel to be sent is around 4-5 people, consisting of surgeon, anesthesiologist, general practitioner and nurse," he said.
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The surgical team, he said, would depart next week to be able to immediately provide assistance to the victims.
"They will leave next week. We're trying to get them there as soon as possible. And this will be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Afghanistan," he continued.
Meanwhile, MER-C also asked the Indonesian government to take humanitarian steps to help the victims and to coordinate with the Afghan government so that the medical aid mission can run well.
"We need the government to send missions too, because the road infrastructure there is very minimal. Then, proper buildings and hospitals are also very minimal. Therefore, there needs to be a field hospital. Hence, (the Indonesian) government's assistance is eagerly awaited by the victims in Afghanistan," he said.
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An earthquake measuring M 6.1 struck Afghanistan on June 22, 2022. The site of the earthquake was about 44 kilometers from the town of Khost, which is near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.
The earthquake occurred in the wee hours local time when residents were sleeping so many people were unable to save themselves.
Temporary data states that at least 1,000 people died and 1,500 others were injured due to the earthquake. The number is expected to continue to grow because search efforts are still ongoing to find victims who were crushed by the rubble of the building.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
