Indonesia has donated $2 million for victims of super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines as part of solidarity between Asean countries that have suffered severe natural disasters, an official said on Wednesday.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said the receipt of aid was handed to the Philippines’ ambassador to Jakarta Maria Rosario C. Aguinaldo by Coordinating Minister of Welfare Agung Laksono at the minister’s office on Tuesday.
“The aid of $2 million consisted of $1 million of demand deposit [giro] and $1 million in goods and logistics. The goods weigh 75 tons in total,” Sutopo said in a text message to the Jakarta Globe.
He said the Ministry of Defense had also assigned three Hercules C-130 aircraft to distribute the aid.
The total package has been taken from several government bodies.
The BNPB has donated 6,000 meals, 1,000 packages of smaller food items, 21,000 units of extra nutrition, 5,000 blankets, 1,000 boxes of clothing, 1,000 boxes of children’s clothing and 10 electricity generators.
The Ministry of Health has donated 10 boxes of medicine and 500 packages of infant formula.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has handed over 500 boxes of instant noodles, 1,000 other meals, 1,000 smaller food items and 1,000 blankets.
“Today three Hercules aircraft owned by the Air Force departed to take 36.6 tons of food supplies, medicine, generators and blankets from Halim Perdanakusuma airport,” Sutopo said.
The departures were divided into three shifts. The first aircraft departed at 6:30 a.m carrying 12.54 tons, the second plane departed at 7:40 a.m carrying a further 12.76 tons of aid, while the last flight departed at 10 a.m carrying 11 tons.
“The next aid delivery is planned to be held on Nov. 14, 2013 with also three shifts of deliveries,” Sutopo said.
The amount of aid Indonesia has sent to the affected region is smaller than what other countries have pledged to the Philippines.
The United Nations has launched a $300 million appeal to cover the unfolding humanitarian crisis, and it has already released $25 million to cover first responders and other emergency lines of aid.
Japan has sent a 10-person medical team in addition to $10 million, while Australia has donated a similar amount of aid. Both the US and UK have sent naval ships — including the USS George Washington aircraft carrier — in addition to $20 million and $10 million, respectively. Other nations, including New Zealand, South Korea and the UAE have sent sizeable offers of help to Manila.
The world’s second-largest economy has, however, been on the receiving end of criticism for its contribution to the global aid appeal. China has given its neighbor $100,000.
thejakartaglobe.com
.
