VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has teamed up with the Indonesian National Army (TNI) to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, in the country. In a written statement, PMI chairperson M Jusuf Kalla said the involvement of the TNI was necessary in fighting the pandemic as it has special abilities, given the nation is fighting an invisible enemy.

"We need the involvement of the TNI because they have special abilities, and are very disciplined. Discipline is needed in this epidemic war because what we are facing is an invisible enemy," Jusuf Kalla said, while giving directions on the training of spray gun operators on Thursday at PMI headquarters in Jakarta as quoted by Antara.

At least 50 TNI personnel participated in the training of spray gun operators at the PMI central headquarters in Jakarta. The TNI will be in charge of operating the PMI’s spray gun car for three months. The spray gun car is a tanker truck specially assembled by the PMI and capable of firing massive amounts of disinfectant liquid on the streets of the capital city//Ant

The Indonesian Government's spokesperson for the handling of COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, urged citizens to ensure that any coronavirus-related information they consume or share is accurate and disseminated by credible sources.

"If you need accurate information on COVID-19, or any other information on that issue, we have covid19.go.id," he told journalists during his regular press conference, made available on the Youtube account of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Thursday.
In addition to the website, citizens can also get information via hotline number 119 (extension 9), WhatsApp (081133399000), and Halo Kemkes (1500567), Yurianto said as quoted by Antara. He also called on Indonesians across the archipelago to protect themselves and their loved ones from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), by practicing a healthy lifestyle and following all recommended healthcare protocols. As of Thursday, Indonesia has reported 3,293 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 280 deaths, and 252 recoveries//Ant

Indonesia is cooperating with at least nine countries to ensure the smooth supply of medical equipment, to accelerate efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Government-to-government assistance is coming from nine countries, namely China, Japan, the US, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told the press via video conference on Thursday.

In addition, Indonesia has received support from various international organizations and entities, namely the WHO, ADB, IAEA, UNDP, IOM, Global Fund, and UNICEF.Meanwhile, Indonesia has recorded assistance from 42 private and non-governmental organizations from nine countries, namely China, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, France, Russia, Germany, Japan, and Sweden."Most of the assistance comprises masks, rapid test kits, and protective equipment," Foreign Minister Retno said as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia has said it urgently needs protective equipment, masks, rapid diagnostic kits, dacron swabs, ventilators, RT-PCR kits and reagents, and thermometers to combat COVID-19.International support to meet the demand for medical equipment is being coordinated by the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling, established by the Indonesian government//Ant 

A Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting Houthi forces in Yemen has declared a ceasefire, according to officials.  Sources told the BBC, the ceasefire will come into effect on Thursday in support of UN efforts to end the five-year-old war.

As quoted by BBC.com ( 09/4) the coalition, backed by Western military powers, has been fighting against Houthi forces aligned to Iran since March 2015. It's unclear if the Houthi forces will also observe the ceasefire. Last month the UN Secretary General António Guterres called on those in Yemen to cease fighting and ramp up efforts to counter a potential outbreak of the coronavirus.
He called on the parties in the country to work with his special envoy Martin Griffiths to achieve a nationwide de-escalation//BBC