Prepare Indonesian Humanitarian Missions, Indonesian Ambassadors Headquartered In The Turkish Earthquake Area

Indonesian Ambassador Lalu M. Iqbal (second from the left) with Athan RI Colonel (KAV) M. Amir Ali Akbar and the AFAD Airport Coordination Team. (Source: Indonesian Embassy Ankara)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi ordered the Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, to have a temporary office in Adana, one of the cities affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Turkey this Monday, to prepare for Indonesia's humanitarian mission.

"I was ordered by the Foreign Minister to start based in Adana starting tomorrow. There are two main tasks, first to coordinate the planned arrival of four humanitarian aircraft from the Indonesian government which will bring a humanitarian team and logistical assistance," he explained in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Saturday, February 11.

"Second, to continue the protection efforts for Indonesian citizens who are still in areas affected by the earthquake, both logistical assistance and new requests for evacuation," continued Ambassador Iqbal.

"For the Humanitarian Mission, I continue to coordinate with BNPB as the coordinator and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he added.

The four planes carrying humanitarian aid to Turkey were divided into three batches of arrivals.

The first group will arrive on February 12, 2023 using 2 B-737-500 military aircraft and 1 Hercules C-130 aircraft. The two aircraft will carry 47 INASAR Urban SAR Medium Teams from BASARNAS along with equipment and logistical assistance from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.

Next, the second group will arrive on February 14, 2023 using Garuda Indonesia's Airbus A 330-300 aircraft.

The second group will bring an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) which is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and consists of various elements including a team from the TNI, Polri and Muhammadiyah Health.

In addition to bringing medical personnel, the second group will also bring 35 tons of humanitarian aid coordinated by BNPB including 200 generators, field hospitals, refugee tents, blankets and various assistance prepared by BNPB according to the list of needs submitted by the Turkish side.

Meanwhile, the third group is expected to arrive on February 19, 2023 using an Airbus A 330-300 aircraft belonging to Garuda Indonesia. It transports cargo of humanitarian logistic aid weighing 35 tons.

"According to the direction of the Turkish side, Adana will be the point of debarification for all flights of the Government of Indonesia's Humanitarian Assistance Mission," concluded Ambassador Iqbal.