First Lady, children plan to channel aid to Maluku
First Lady, children plan to channel aid to Maluku
JAKARTA (JP): First Lady Sinta Nuriyah and her daughters have
offered to channel humanitarian assistance to Maluku, where
thousands of children, women and the elderly are facing
starvation and severe medical problems in the riot-torn
provinces.
Alissa Qotrunnada "Lisa" Munawaroh Rahman, President
Abdurrahman Wahid's eldest daughter, said the victims of the
tragedy, from both Muslim and Christian sides, were in urgent
need of assistance from the outside world.
Based on a 10-day visit to the provinces of Maluku and North
Maluku, Lisa said many children had died as hospitals were unable
to treat patients as in normal times and families of the victims
had no idea where to go.
Lisa described their assistance as a humanitarian movement,
and added that they would not touch other issues.
"They are our brothers and sisters, regardless of whether they
are Muslims or Christians. Many of them are just innocent
victims. Anyone who wants to help them, please do not hesitate to
contact us or our NGO (non-governmental organization) friends,"
Lisa told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.
According to Lisa, her mother was proud of the volunteers,
including those from international organizations who risked their
lives to facilitate humanitarian aid in the provinces.
Lisa noted that currently it was more difficult to send relief
aid to Christian sides, because Muslims were now in a stronger
position, and many refugees had to fled to the mountains or
nearby provinces.
"But I can assure you that we will treat them equally. They
are all Indonesian citizens," she noted.
She said two volunteers, Martha and Yani, were working at the
State Palace to manage the assistance and were ready to provide
information to donors.
The Air Force was also ready to transport assistance to
Maluku, while police, Navy and Army personnel who were on duty
there would help the volunteers to distribute the aid, she said.
"Please do not hesitate to contact them at the palace
telephone number, 384 5001," Lisa appealed.
She said another organization, The Volunteer Network for the
Maluku Crisis, whose office is on Jl. Masjid No. 6, Cipayung,
East Jakarta, was also ready to channel aid to the provinces.
"Just call them at 84 8920." (prb)