JAKARTA — Indonesian President Joko Widodo sent off a shipment of humanitarian aid for flood victims in Pakistan. During this event, Jokowi dispatched aid worth $1,000,000 (one million dollars) at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta on Monday (September 26, 2022). This aid from the Indonesian people is intended to assist the people of Pakistan who have been hit by flash floods and landslides, displacing 800,000 people.
Accompanied by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. Suharyanto S.Sos., M.M., the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy, and a number of NGOs including Dompet Dhuafa, represented by Haryo Mojopahit, President Jokowi expressed his appreciation for the concern shown by the Indonesian people.
Dompet Dhuafa is one of the institutions/NGOs trusted by the government to help distribute aid to Pakistan. Dompet Dhuafa itself has three stages of aid distribution. Some time ago, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa sent aid in the form of logistics through cooperation with local institutions in Pakistan. Moving forward, Dompet Dhuafa will construct several infrastructure facilities, including temporary and permanent housing, mosques/prayer halls, and other essential amenities.
In his speech, President Jokowi expressed his deep sorrow and condolences for the floods and landslides that occurred in Pakistan. This disaster has had a widespread impact on the people of Pakistan, causing damage to agricultural land, schools, homes, and infrastructure, forcing approximately 800,000 people to flee their homes. To alleviate the suffering of the survivors in Pakistan and as a gesture of international solidarity, the Indonesian government is providing humanitarian assistance in the form of cash and basic necessities, including tents, clothing, blankets, beds, medicines, and medical supplies. These items were dispatched today with the first two planes, and more will follow.
“First and foremost, on behalf of myself and the people of Indonesia, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of lives caused by the floods and landslides in Pakistan. Additionally, the floods and landslides in Pakistan have had widespread impacts on the people of Pakistan. These include damage to agricultural land, schools, homes, and infrastructure, as well as forcing approximately 800,000 people to evacuate. To alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and as a gesture of international solidarity, the Indonesian government is providing humanitarian aid in the form of approximately $1,000,000 (one million dollars) in cash and goods, which we are sending today,” explained Jokowi.
He also hopes that this assistance will help our brothers and sisters affected in Pakistan so that they can recover and resume their activities as soon as possible. The assistance provided is not limited to this alone; medical personnel will also be sent to provide medical services to the people of Pakistan.
“I hope this assistance can help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan so they can recover quickly and resume their activities. The assistance provided is not limited to this; it will continue in accordance with the requests of the Pakistani government. We are also preparing medical personnel who will be sent soon to provide medical services for the people of Pakistan,” he concluded.
Head of DMC Dompet Dhuafa, Haryo Mojopahit, said that through the Forum Zakat (FOZ), Humanitarian Forum Indonesia (HFI), and National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) networks, DMC Dompet Dhuafa distributed 300 hygiene kits to flood survivors in Pakistan. Previously, DMC Dompet Dhuafa had distributed 120 food packages through its local partner network in Pakistan, namely We Care Foundation.
“Dompet Dhuafa is one of the institutions/NGOs trusted by the government to help distribute aid to Pakistan. At Dompet Dhuafa itself, there are three stages of aid distribution. A few days ago, we actually distributed aid in the form of logistics through local institutions there. This time, it is with the Indonesian government. Next, we will build several facilities there, such as housing, mosques/prayer rooms, and others,” he explained.
Read also: DMC Dompet Dhuafa Sends 300 Hygiene Kits for Flood Survivors in Pakistan
Deputy Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Faisal Fayyaz was also present at the handover ceremony. He represented the government and people of Pakistan, and on this occasion expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government and people for their humanitarian assistance. According to him, Indonesia had also previously assisted the Pakistani government in addressing the flood disaster that occurred in 2010. Faisal hopes that this humanitarian support will continue to be maintained between the two countries. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)