PMI-CVTL Strengthen Volunteer Capacity and Humanitarian Actions at the Border
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Timor-Leste Red Cross (CVTL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation to strengthen organisational capacity and cross-border humanitarian action services between the two countries.
PMI General Chairman Jusuf Kalla emphasised the importance of cross-border humanitarian solidarity. The Memorandum of Understanding, he said, serves as a framework for both organisations to develop coordination, collaboration, and synergy in accordance with the Red Cross mandate.
He explained that the scope of cooperation encompasses various strategic fields, including disaster and health crisis risk management, public health risk reduction, humanitarian conflict handling, volunteer management, blood donor services, first aid, family reunification, water and sanitation, as well as humanitarian diplomacy and logistics management.
Furthermore, he stated that both parties are committed to building inclusive, accountable, and sustainable community resilience in border areas, as well as strengthening organisational capacity to face various humanitarian challenges, including the impacts of climate change.
Meanwhile, CVTL President Madalena Fernandes Melo Hanja Costa Soares highlighted the historical closeness and the importance of joint capacity building.
“We share a very close border with Indonesia (East Nusa Tenggara). Our traditions and cultures also have many similarities, as if there are no borders. In the future, there are various humanitarian activities that we need to carry out together, including capacity building which is very important,” she said.
According to her, with the thousands of volunteers they have, training is key to increasing their enthusiasm and readiness.
The Memorandum of Understanding is valid for five years from the date of signing and can be extended based on the agreement of both parties. Its implementation will be followed up through technical cooperation agreements or joint commitments according to the needs of field programmes.