Indonesian Red Cross opens bank account for Iraqis

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.