JK leads PMI in sending logistical aid to disaster victims in NTT
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - PMI Central Chairman Jusuf Kalla is personally leading a humanitarian operation to send logistical aid to help victims and support the handling of natural disasters in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“Mr JK (Jusuf Kalla) is currently in Flores leading the humanitarian operation, and yesterday a large ship departed from Tanjung Priok to deliver aid, which has now begun to be distributed. PMI colleagues from across Indonesia have already deployed there,” said PMI Central Head of Organisation Sudirman Said in Yogyakarta on Saturday.
According to him, the aid packages being distributed include basic necessities for women and infants, ready-to-eat food logistics, and daily sanitation supplies.
“Next, recovery equipment such as hoes and shovels will be sent to support the smooth reconstruction process in post-disaster areas,” he said.
“Please be careful, safety is the priority, because if we are not safe, we cannot help others. So if there are risks that threaten safety, they should be avoided, and continue to cooperate with various relevant agencies,” he said.
He emphasised that PMI volunteers across Indonesia are always ready to be deployed to assist in disaster response based on the organisation’s principle of universality.
“Whatever the type of disaster, PMI always responds. There are four aspects: blood donation, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and assistance for victims of conflict. So wherever there is a disaster, including fires, PMI will help,” he said.
PMI Yogyakarta Chairman GBPH Prabukusumo said that in addition to sending medical aid to other regions, PMI Yogyakarta remains focused on local services by distributing clean water aid to communities affected by drought in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
“Drought handling in the Yogyakarta region is expected to continue until December, with all operational clean water tanker fleets being deployed,” he said.
He also called on all elements of society in Yogyakarta to work together in providing donations and assistance to support the smooth operation of PMI in helping residents.
“I ask all residents of Yogyakarta to help. Without support from the community, PMI cannot do anything. We have seven operational tankers, actually there are nine, but one is damaged and leaking, and one was left behind in Aceh,” he said.