"There has been a request to not send food aid. Since the region will enter the winter season, our aid will be adjusted to their needs," BNPB Head Lieutenant General Suharyanto stated in a press conference on Tuesday.
The 17 types of items included refugee tents, large family tents, generators, velbeds, folding mattresses, cleaning equipment, blankets, winter jackets, handyman tools, underwear, sleeping bags, clean water filtration, solar lamps, survival equipment, thobe, and women's hygiene items.
"However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had just informed that the type of items may increase. We always coordinate with the Ministry and the Afghanistan government," he remarked.
Suharyanto explained that the assistance came from the Indonesian government while still awaiting other assistance from the National Police (Polri), Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and social institutions, such as the National Alms Agency (Baznas).
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, stated that the humanitarian aid distributed to Afghanistan was part of soft diplomacy towards Central Asian countries.
"The delivery of this humanitarian aid has strategic value for Indonesia to show our humanitarian commitment and good image in the eyes of the international community, as a soft diplomacy effort from Indonesia to Central Asian countries, including Afghanistan," he stated.
Effendy remarked that based on the current situation in Afghanistan, the earthquake had killed 1,480 people, injured 1,950 people, and affected 43 thousand people. Moreover, 114 thousand people are in dire need of emergency assistance.
He noted that the financing scheme and assistance for Afghanistan would be adjusted to applicable regulations, namely through the International Federation of Red Cross, which would prepare defense equipment and personnel.
"The government is currently awaiting directions from the president regarding next steps," he stated.
An earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.2, rocked Herat, Afghanistan, and other provinces in the western part of the country on November 7, 2023.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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