PMI sends over 33,000 aid items to NTT by sea
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has dispatched 33,947 items of logistical aid for earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) by sea from Tanjung Priok Port to Labuan Bajo Port.
“We hope this aid can arrive in Labuan Bajo promptly and then be passed on to the affected communities. In a disaster situation, the speed and accuracy of aid distribution are crucial,” said PMI Chairman Jusuf Kalla while directly overseeing the loading of PMI logistical aid onto the ship at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, on Saturday afternoon.
He said the aid was sent to support the fulfilment of basic needs of earthquake-affected communities, particularly needs during their stay in evacuation shelters and during the emergency response period.
The 33,947 aid items cover a range of needs, from clothing and hygiene supplies to worship equipment, emergency shelter, lighting and household necessities.
For clothing needs, PMI sent 10,000 sarongs, 1,000 blankets, 5,000 women’s garments and 5,000 men’s garments. To support hygiene and the needs of vulnerable groups, the aid sent consists of 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 dignity kits and 500 baby kits.
Jusuf Kalla further stated that shipping by sea is one of PMI’s efforts to ensure that large quantities of aid can be sent promptly to the affected areas and subsequently distributed according to community needs.
Going forward, the aid will be distributed to support earthquake-affected communities in seven regencies in Flores, namely West Manggarai, East Manggarai, Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ende, Sikka and Ngada.
Distribution will be carried out in stages based on assessment results as well as the needs and priorities of communities in each area.
The ship departing from Tanjung Priok Port carried not only aid from PMI but also various logistical assistance from a number of other institutions supporting the humanitarian response for communities affected by the Flores earthquake.
This joint shipment is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration while improving the efficiency of aid distribution to the affected areas.