2024 National Christmas Series: Social Service And Concern For Disaster Victims

Chairman of the 2024 Indonesian Christmas Celebration Thomas Djiwandono delivered his remarks at the Indonesia Arena, GBK, Central Jakarta, (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA The National Christmas Celebration at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Central Jakarta, Saturday, December 28, is not only a celebration event but also participated in a series of caring programs for disaster victims in the country. The program includes social services, ecological actions, and religious seminars that touch many parties.

General Chairperson of the 2024 Indonesian Christmas Celebration, Thomas Djiwandono, revealed that the committee had carried out social service activities in five regions from November 16 to December 23, 2024. This activity included the distribution of 427 food packages to four evacuation posts for victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East NTT. In addition, disabled and elderly aids were also delivered at two beneficiary points.

In Manado City, the committee handed over 300 food packages and 24 disability aids or the elderly in Sentra Tumutu and the beneficiary houses for the elderly and children. In Sukabumi Regency, 150 food packages and six disability aids have been distributed to people affected by landslides.

In Timika Regency and Agats Diocese, Asmat Regency, the 2024 National Christmas committee handed over aid in the form of additional food nutrition as many as 4,400 packages to 22 stations (Catholic community) which were given 10 times a month. The committee also handed over 50 holy books for Agats Diocese and seven disability aids for LB Moerdani Timika Hospital.

On December 15, 2024, the committee also held cross-religious ecological actions, in collaboration with the government and the community through the Muara Gembong Care Movement. This movement was carried out in the coastal areas of Muara Gembong, Bekasi Regency, and includes mangrove planting activities, beach clean actions, giving rubber boats to help the community face tidal flooding, as well as waste exchange activities with basic necessities.

"This activity is an innovative program initiated by a shining waste bank, a non-profit in Bandung that provides education, innovation, and community-based waste management services," said Thomas Djiwandono.

National Christmas Celebration 2024

The 2024 National Christmas celebration was attended by more than 11,000 invitations, including representatives of ASN and members of the TNI/Polri, Catholics and Protestant Christians in Jabodetabek, as well as administrators and members of Catholic and Protestant community organizations, religious leaders, communities, to orphanage children and people with disabilities. This event is a symbol of togetherness and the spirit of mutual cooperation in the midst of Indonesian society.

The event was also attended by a number of state officials, including President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Members of the Red and White Cabinet were also present, including Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, Minister of PPPA Arifah Fauzi, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, National Police Chief Sulistyo Sigit, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, TNI Commander Agus Subianto, and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

In his remarks, President Prabowo conveyed a message of peace and togetherness, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation in facing challenges and disasters. "We must help and support each other, especially in difficult times like this. We must continue to maintain the spirit of togetherness and tolerance," said President Prabowo.

The series of social service activities and ecological actions carried out in the context of the 2024 National Christmas Celebration are clear evidence of the spirit of togetherness and concern of the Indonesian people. With the various caring programs that have been implemented, it is hoped that it can ease the burden on disaster victims and strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation in the country.