VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - The United States (US) supports Indonesia in its efforts to fight the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by extending assistance worth US$2.3 million (some Rp36 billion).

The donation was readied through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Embassy in Jakarta stated on Friday.

Heather Variava, US Chargé d’Affaires in Jakarta, announced that the US Government, through USAID, will offer emergency aid, worth $2.3 million to Indonesia, under the US’ global efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19.

This emergency assistance will support ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Health, Presidential Staff Office (KSP), and Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB).

"For over 50 years, we have partnered with the Government of Indonesia, through USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on pressing health issues, including infectious diseases," Variava noted.

"As the Government of Indonesia joins the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committing additional emergency funding to support their disease prevention, detection, and response efforts," she affirmed.

The US government is financing this assistance from USAID’s Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases. The US government is extending these funds to multilateral institutions and programs led by the USAID implementing partners in individual countries.

The assistance to Indonesia’s COVID-19 response will be instantaneously channeled to bolster lab capacity, expedite testing, and streamline disease tracking at the community level.

It will also boost risk communications to provide the public with reliable, verifiable information to keep all informed on ways to protect themselves and those around.

"Indonesia is ready to work along with other countries in forging collaboration to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the US Government, to support us in handling the COVID-19 pandemic," Acep Somantri, director for International Cooperation Affairs, Ministry of Health, stated.

The US government remains committed to working alongside partner countries, including Indonesia, in combating the deadly pandemic to ensure health security for one and all.

Since an infectious disease, such as coronavirus infection, can become a threat everywhere, the US has called on other donors to contribute to the global efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis. (ANTARA)

A cloud of ash column reaching a height of up to 3,000 meters from the peak of Mount Merapi (on April 10, 2020. (ANTARA)

Mount Merapi, situated at the border of Central Java Province and Yogyakarta, erupted on Friday, emitting a cloud of ash column up to three thousand meters from the volcano's peak.

Merapi erupted at 9:10 a.m. local time, with a duration of 103 seconds and an amplitude of 75 millimeters (mm), the Geological Disaster Investigation and Technology Development Agency (BPPTKG) stated on its official Twitter account on Friday.

Mount Merapi’s eruption is the second time since it first erupted on April 2, 2020, with an ash column reaching a height of three thousand meters, a duration of 345 seconds, and an amplitude of 78 mm.

The BPPTKG has, until now, maintained the status of Mount Merapi at level II, or "alert," and recommended against conducting climbing activities, except for the purposes of investigation and research relating to disaster mitigation.

People were also advised to not conduct activities within a three-kilometer radius from the summit of Mount Merapi.

The BPPTKG has urged people to stay calm and not panic and to take precautionary measures against ash rain following the eruption. (ANTARA)

National Police spokesman Sr Comr Asep Adi Saputra pointed to a substantial decline in crime rates, violations, and disruption of community order as well as the security situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The community order and security situation are, in general, conducive," Saputra stated at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Thursday as quoted by Antara.

Saputra expounded that 4,197 crimes took place in the 13th week, dropping to 3,743 in the 14th week. This indicates a decrease of 11.03 percent in crimes.Meanwhile, 301 violations were committed in the 13th week, while 139 violations in the 14th week, thereby registering a 53.82-percent drop in the crime rate.Furthermore, 69 incidents of disturbance of community order and security situation were recorded in the 13th week, and 45 in the 14th week, thereby indicative of a 34.78-percent decrease.Furthermore, the Indonesian National Police conducted a special police operation codenamed "Operation Safe Nusa Dua" to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"The operation aims to detect, prevent, handle, rehabilitate, enforce the law, and carry out police operational assistance, specifically oriented towards thwarting the spread of COVID-19," Saputra emphasized.

People are prohibited from conducting social activities that attract throngs of people both in public places and the adjoining areas//Ant