VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Vice President Jusuf Kalla discussed Indonesia's efforts to handle refugees, during a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi.

"(We discussed) how to jointly handle the extraordinary issue of refugees today, both in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and conflict-plagued countries," Kalla said, while in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Kalla noted that Indonesia has experience in managing an influx of refugees, as it did in Galang Island, Riau Islands Province.

During the 30-minute meeting, Kalla also expressed Indonesia's preparedness to assist UNHCR in handling refugees.

"I told him that we are ready to do so through international cooperation, rather than to work alone," he said.

Meanwhile, Filippo praised Kalla for visiting the UNHCR office.

While in Switzerland, Kalla also met with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer. Kalla said the meeting with Maurer allowed him to discuss cooperation in humanitarian fields, such as disaster mitigation programs.

Kalla arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday to attend an event entitled, "The Christchurch Call to Action”, which included discussions of the latest terror attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

While in Switzerland, Kalla also delivered a national address at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction forum held at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). (ant)