JK Highlights the Role of Civil Society in Humanitarian Activities
Jakarta - The 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla or JK, highlighted the role of civil society in addressing humanitarian issues, whether resulting from conflicts or natural disasters.
Kalla, in a public lecture at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia in Depok on Tuesday, emphasised that trust is a crucial asset when engaging in humanitarian activities.
Kalla explained on that occasion that the main challenges in humanitarian activities today stem from two sources: human conflicts and conflicts with nature.
“Conflicts occur in various parts of the world such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and domestically like in Papua. In addition, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis also cause significant humanitarian impacts,” he said.
According to him, humanitarian conflicts are generally triggered by factors such as ideology, territorial disputes, political interests, and natural resources. He cited various global and national conflicts that have widespread impacts on civil society.
He views that resolving humanitarian problems is not sufficient by merely handling refugees, but must address the root of the conflict itself.
“If the conflict is resolved, the humanitarian issues will also be resolved. That is faster and more effective than just managing the impacts,” he said.
He also recounted his experiences in handling various conflicts in Indonesia in the early 2000s, such as in Poso, Ambon, and Aceh, which at that time displaced around 1.5 million people.
He emphasised the importance of a logical approach, understanding the root problems, and courage in resolving social conflicts, including religion-based conflicts.
“No religious teaching justifies killing others without reason. This approach is what we used to resolve conflicts in Poso and Ambon,” he stated.
Meanwhile, regarding disaster management, Kalla highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation. According to him, broad community involvement is the key to the success of various humanitarian actions, including during the Aceh tsunami disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) explained that public trust is the main capital in mobilising aid. With trust, the public is more enthusiastic about getting involved as volunteers and even funding humanitarian activities.
“For example, PMI funds come from the public. They trust that the aid provided will be distributed properly,” he said.
PMI, added Kalla, is currently supported by around 1.5 million volunteers from various backgrounds, ranging from students, medical personnel, to the general public.
Kalla also urged universities to join in addressing the causes of the increasing number of natural disasters in Indonesia.
“Here we hope that campuses can conduct research that directly impacts efforts to avoid natural disasters, including how to prevent environmental damage,” he said.