VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia is cooperating with Eygiptian Red Crescent to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Palestine. This cooperation is to facilitate the process of channeling aid through the Rafah entrance in Sinai Province, Egypt, which is under the control of local authorities. Minister Counselor for Political Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Sonny Sasongko, on Saturday, June 16th affirmed the Government of Indonesia always supports the Palestinian struggle for independence. One of the steps considered urgent is channeling of humanitarian aid amid volatile Palestinian situations in recent weeks. Sonny Sasongko said the Rafah border is the only access from Egypt to distribute aid to Gaza, and to cross the border required coordination with the local Government.

"Indonesia always supports the struggle for Palestinian independence. For that Indonesia also must strive to alleviate the burden suffered by most of the Palestinian people especially in the occupied areas like in Gaza. In this case the Indonesian government has assigned the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo to open access to Gaza through Sinai Province to distribute Humanitarian aid. Indonesia has met with several parties here including Egypt's Red Crescent.", Sonny explained.

According to Sonny Sasongko, the Egyptian Red Crescent welcomes the plan to distribute humanitarian aid from Indonesia. The Indonesian Embassy in Cairo is still waiting for further news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related parties for the timing of the shipment and the amount of aid to be channeled to Palestine. Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip has been almost completely closed since 2013.  The Rafah Door is usually opened briefly for access to aid and medical assistance in the Egyptian region or the farther region as it did during the last Ramadan. Israel controls six of the seven border gates in and out of the Gaza Strip. (Rian)