Indonesian Red Cross Open and Ready to Distribute Aid from Indonesian Public to Iran
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has stated its readiness to distribute humanitarian aid from the Indonesian public to residents affected by the conflict in Iran. This comes as humanitarian needs have increased due to the escalation of the situation in recent weeks.
This statement was made by PMI General Chairman Jusuf Kalla (JK) during a meeting with the Deputy Head of the Iranian Embassy Mission, Mohammad Mahdi Moradi, and the Director of South and Central Asia at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), Ricky Ichsan.
The meeting took place on Wednesday (8/4/2026) at PMI’s Central Headquarters as a commitment by PMI to alleviate the suffering of affected communities while strengthening international humanitarian solidarity in line with the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
“PMI is always open and ready to contribute to humanitarian issues anywhere, as long as the objective is truly humanitarian. The key point is that we prioritise humanitarian principles and good coordination with relevant parties, such as the Iranian Red Crescent,” said JK.
JK also conveyed that this week, the PMI team will depart for Islamabad, Pakistan, to procure medicines. This procurement is assisted by the Pakistan Red Crescent and the Indonesian Embassy in Pakistan, to be subsequently handed over to the Iranian Red Crescent.
“Local procurement in Pakistan is more effective and efficient compared to sending goods from Indonesia, which is costly and takes longer,” said JK.
More importantly, he added, the usage instructions for medicines or medical equipment from Pakistan are in an easily understandable language, unlike bringing medicines from Indonesia where the instructions are in Indonesian.
The core of the discussion in the meeting between PMI, the Iranian Embassy, and the Foreign Ministry was the agreement for aid funds from the Indonesian public to alleviate the plight of brothers and sisters in Iran to be channelled by PMI through the Iranian Red Crescent or partner movements of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in areas around Iran.
In line with that, the Foreign Ministry and the Iranian Embassy, together with PMI, agreed that aid and donations received by the Iranian Embassy so far will be channelled by PMI in cooperation with the Iranian Red Crescent. This aid is intended to help the Iranian people suffering due to attacks by the United States (US) and Israel.
For the future, public aid can be channelled directly through PMI’s accounts at BRI Account No. 039001000318303 in the name of Palang Merah Indonesia or Bank Mandiri Account No. 0700017172011 in the name of Palang Merah Indonesia.