Once again, we are still open to receiving assistance from elements of society, community organizations, including NGOs. Later, if we are lacking one plane, then we can add moreJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is readying a plane to transport aid from civil society organizations and NGOs to Pakistanis impacted by the recent floods and landslides.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy stated that the government had readied one aircraft for this purpose.
“Hence, in addition to the assistance from the government that we are currently sending, there will be aid from community organizations, including NGOs. We prepare one plane to transport the aid,” Effendy noted in a press statement on the sidelines of the dispatch of humanitarian aid for Pakistan at the Air Halim Perdanakusuma Field Ops Base, here, Monday.
Effendy noted that the plane carrying aid from the community was planned to depart on October 3.
Hence, the ministry still accept aid if community organizations are looking to entrust assistance to Pakistanis until that date.
Related news: Indonesia disburses US$1-million aid for Pakistan's flood victims
Such forms of aid can be entrusted to the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"Once again, we are still open to receiving assistance from elements of society, community organizations, including NGOs. Later, if we are lacking one plane, then we can add more," Effendy said.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) earlier distributed US$1 million in humanitarian aid as well as several goods to help Pakistani residents affected by floods and landslides.
"The Indonesian government provides humanitarian assistance in the form of approximately US$1 million in cash assistance as well as goods assistance that we will send today," Jokowi remarked at the Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Base Ops, Jakarta, Monday.
Related news: Indonesia prepares humanitarian aid for Pakistan flash flood victims
The head of state noted that the aid will be dispatched aboard two planes in the first phase.
"The first phase will comprise two planes sending (items of) basic needs, such as tents, clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, generators, as well as medicines and medical materials," he added.
Jokowi is optimistic that this assistance would help people in Pakistan to recover quickly and return to their activities.
In addition, the Indonesian government will provide assistance by deploying health workers to offer medical services to Pakistani citizens affected by the disaster, Jokowi remarked.
"We will also assist health workers to help Pakistani people in line with the request from the Pakistani government," he stated.
The humanitarian aid was readied by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) based on President Jokowi's directive. Head of BNPB Lieutenant General Suharyanto had reviewed the quality and quantity of the prepared assistance to ensure it is adequate and in accordance with the needs of victims.
Floods and landslides that struck Pakistan since the end of August 2022 have had wide-ranging impacts on the country in the form of damage to agricultural land, schools, houses, and infrastructure, as well as forced some 800 thousand people to flee.
Related news: Anti-graft body commences third G20 ACWG meeting in Australia
Related news: King Salman to attend Bali G20 Summit: Saudi Trade Minister
Translator: Gilang G, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
