Eid Homecoming: Indonesian Red Crescent Deploys 6,905 Personnel at 456 Relief Posts
Jakarta — In anticipation of the mass exodus of travellers during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming season, the Indonesian Red Crescent (Palang Merah Indonesia, PMI) has established 456 relief posts spread across 24 provinces throughout Indonesia. These relief posts will operate from seven days before until seven days after Eid to assist travellers and the public undertaking journeys during the holiday period.
A total of 6,905 PMI personnel have been deployed to various strategic points, supported by 377 ambulances and medical transport vehicles to provide swift and responsive humanitarian services during the homecoming period.
PMI Chairman Jusuf Kalla stated that the relief posts are designed to ensure public safety and health during the homecoming journey. “PMI wants to ensure travellers are not alone on their journey. Should an emergency arise, PMI volunteers are ready to provide first aid, ambulance services, and medical referrals at the relief posts we have established along various homecoming routes,” Kalla said in a statement on Monday (16 March 2026).
Further elaborating, Head of Health and Social Affairs at PMI Central, Prof Dr dr Fachmi Idris, M.Kes explained that the relief posts have been positioned at numerous strategic locations that will be traversed by homecoming travellers. “The Eid relief posts are established at various strategic locations that become concentration points for travellers, such as the northern coast highway, trans-Java routes, bus terminals, railway stations, ferry ports, airports, tourist areas, and accident-prone and congested points,” Idris said.
At the relief posts, PMI provides various services for the public, including first aid for traffic accident victims and emergency medical conditions, ambulance services and medical evacuation to refer patients to the nearest healthcare facility, and basic health screenings such as blood pressure checks, general health assessments, and light medical consultations for travellers. Additionally, PMI distributes drinking water for travellers.
In its implementation, PMI collaborates with various parties, including the Health Service, hospitals, the Indonesian Military and National Police, the Transportation Service, the National Disaster Management Agency, Port Authority, Airports Authority, the National Search and Rescue Agency, radio amateur associations, tourism offices, and scout organisations.
PMI urges travellers to maintain their health during the journey, rest periodically, and utilise the PMI relief posts should they require medical or humanitarian assistance. Travellers can also use the Red Crescent First Aid mobile application, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.