VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi reported on the progress made regarding humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar who are in the midst of conflict. According to her, the AHA Center as a distributor of aid has gained access to channel ASEAN humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar in need. The AHA Center has also successfully completed the Joint Needs Assessment and has distributed the initial phase of assistance in May 2023.

"Currently the AHA Center is preparing to distribute aid to 400 households or around 1,450 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Sagaing and Magway regions will be one of the next priorities," Retno said in a statement delivered in Jakarta, Friday (7/7).

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno also said that ASEAN through the AHA Center has also acted quickly to help victims of cyclone Mokha. The assistance is worth around USD 1.6 million.

"Bilaterally, Indonesia delivered its assistance on June 26, 2023, as much as 45 tons with a value of more than USD0.5 million in the form of ready-to-eat food, tarpaulins, tents, carpentry tools, generators, blankets, and drinking water needed by the victims of the Mokha cyclone, especially in the Rakhine State region, Myanmar," she added.

In various communications, Indonesia also heard information about the need for vaccines, especially for children. According to Retno, Indonesia is requesting data on vaccine needs and is ready to contribute.

"All parties must be committed to the distribution of humanitarian assistance with the principle of no one left behind and not politicize humanitarian assistance. The interests of the people must be the priority of all parties," she said. (VOI/Andy)