Use Garuda Aircraft, Indonesia Sends Breathing Apparatus To India

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi (DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is sending humanitarian grants in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to India. This aid in the form of concentrator oxygen was carried by Garuda Indonesia aircraft.

The oxygen concentrator is a type of medical device used to provide oxygen assistance to a person with respiratory distress.

"At the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, at noon today at 14.00 WIB using Garuda Indonesia aircraft, (government, red) Indonesia will send humanitarian grant aid to India", said Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, in a press conference aired on YouTube presidential secretariat, Wednesday, May 12.

The tools sent by the Indonesian government amounted to 200 units. However, this is not the first time aid has been sent to India.

"The human assistance that will be delivered in 200 units of oxygen concentrators. Previously, on May 10, the government together with Indonesian associations and industry players had also sent 1400 cylinder oxygen cylinders to India", she said.

With the delivery of the aid, it is expected to help the Indian government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the friendship between the two countries has been established for a long time even since the first President of Indonesia Sukarno.

In addition, the two countries have been working together against the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning. "I still remember very well, because I directly communicated with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India for how the Indian government facilitates so that the export of medicinal raw materials that at that time was needed by Indonesia can be obtained by Indonesia", said Retno.

"India also plays an important role in supporting vaccine procurement through a multilateral framework, through the COVAX Facility", she added.

Retno also explained that Indonesia has also assisted in handling COVID-19 to other countries. Including, China at the beginning of the pandemic by sending medical devices in the form of masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.

"We believe that to succeed against pandemics, solidarity, collaboration, and cooperation are a must. No country should be left behind, no one is safe until everyone is", she concluded.