Indonesian Assistance For Earthquake Victims Arrived In Syria

Humanitarian assistance from the Indonesian government for earthquake victims in Syria arrived in the capital Damascus on Wednesday (22/2/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - humanitarian assistance from the Indonesian government for earthquake victims in Syria arrived in the capital Damascus on Wednesday. The aid with a total weight of 75 tons was symbolically handed over by the Deputy for Coordination of Regional Development Equity and Disaster Management of BNPB RI to the Deputy Minister for Local Administration and the Syrian Environment Affairs Moutaz Douaji. In addition to goods worth IDR 1.1 million US dollars (approximately IDR 16.7 billion), assistance was also provided in the form of 1 million US dollars (approximately IDR 15.2 billion). “ Assistance consists of, among others, clothes, cold clothes, tents, emergency beds, food, and electric generators,” said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a written statement, Antara, Thursday, February 23. Previously, the Syrian government officially submitted a diplomatic note requesting assistance to the Indonesian government after a major earthquake hit the country. The Syrian government expresses its high appreciation to the Indonesian government for Indonesia's concern through the distribution of humanitarian aid. Syria said the aid showed close brotherhood between the two countries, although geographically it is located far away. Director of the Middle East of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bagus Hendraning Kobarsyih, who attended the handover of aid to Damascus, said that assistance was very important to fill and strengthen bilateral relations, as well as a reflection of the strong solidarity relationship between the two countries that had existed since the beginning of Indonesia's independence. Previously, President Joko Widodo had launched a delivery of humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport on Tuesday (21/2). The earthquake that rocked northern Syria claimed more than 5,000 lives. So far, no Indonesian citizens have been victims of the disaster. The Indonesian Ambassador to Syria, Wajid Fauzi, had previously distributed logistical assistance to the Syrian people in the Latakia and Aleppo regions. The two Garuda Indonesia aircraft carrying aid to Syria arrived back in Jakarta on February 23, 2023. The plane was also used to repatriate 27 Indonesian citizens in Syria, including those affected by the earthquake and migrant workers.