Indonesian Red Cross opens bank account for Iraqis

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has opened a bank account to mobilize funds for Iraqis whose country is currently under heavy bombardment from the United States and its allies Britain and Australia.

The organization has also enlisted the service of some medical doctors who are ready to depart once there is a request from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"We are planning to purchase medicine, food and other necessities in Iraq's neighboring countries as it will be more effective than shipping it from Indonesia," PMI chairman Mar'ie Muhammad said after meeting President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday.

The bank account was opened at one of the country's largest banks, Bank Central Asia (BCA), with account number No. 450.308.5600 located at BCA Bidakara in South Jakarta.

Mar'ie said that PMI was also in close and regular contact with the Red Crescent network in Iraq with regard to the assistance.

"As soon as we gather enough funds we will send the goods immediately to the network," said Mar'ie, adding that government aid would also be sent through PMI.

Several organizations have also pledged humanitarian aid to ease the suffering of Iraqi civilians following the commencement of the war.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Council of Indonesian (MUI), and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) were among the other organizations and political parties that had pledged assistance.

Meanwhile, a non-governmental organization called Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) planned to dispatch its team of physicians to Iraq early on Tuesday morning.

"The team will depart on Tuesday at 2:15 a.m. with the Gulf Air airliner," said Jose Risal Jurnalis, the leader of the team to be sent to Iraq.

Jose said the team consisted of two surgeons and two physicians. They are Dr. Fauzi Nasution, Dr. Sarbini Abdul Murad, Dr. Yogi Prabowo and Dr. Jose Risal Jurnalis.

"The team will be there for a month, but it can be extended depending on the situation."

Jose also revealed the team would erect a base camp on the border if banned from entering Iraq.

In addition, the team would provide humanitarian aid to war victims and train local Iraqis to help other victims.

He also revealed that some Rp 200 million (US$22,000) had been collected to finance the humanitarian mission.

Jose said, however, that the government had not yet officially recognized their mission, "even they (the government) are yet to give their recommendation (of the humanitarian mission),"

He added that the team had attempted to see Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla but there were no responses from the two ministries.