Indonesia Sends COVID-19 Pandemic Management Assistance to India

INDUSTRY.co.id - The Indonesian Government Wednesday (12/05) sent assistance for COVID-19 pandemic management to India.

“Following the directive of President of the Republic of Indonesia today at 14:00 Western Indonesia Time, Indonesia will deliver Indonesia’s humanitarian assistance to India,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L. P. Marsudi said during the launching of the COVID-19 pandemic management assistance delivery to India at Soekarno Hatta Airport in Tangerang city, Banten province.

According to Retno, the humanitarian assistance delivered include 200 units of oxygen concentrators in addition to 1,400 oxygen cylinders sent by the Indonesian Government along with industry associations and players to India on Monday (10/05).

 She added that oxygen is an urgent need for the current pandemic management in the South Asian country that has been badly hit by the pandemic.

“The humanitarian assistance is a form of Indonesian national solidarity with India. The humanitarian assistance is expected to help India manage the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Minister said, adding that the long-standing relations between Indonesia and India has been established since the administration of Indonesia’s first President Soekarno and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

 “Indonesia and India are old friends, close friends and strategic partners. The friendship of the two countries has been formed since the era of President Soekarno and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and continues up to the administration of President Jokowi and Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,” she remarked.

Retno also said that Indonesia and India have also been cooperating to tackle COVID-19 since the outset of the pandemic.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, I remember clearly, as I communicated directly with the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, how the Indian Government facilitated (Indonesia) so that Indonesia could obtain exports of raw materials for medicines that Indonesia urgently needed at the time,” she said, adding that India has also played an important role in supporting COVID-19 vaccine procurement through COVAX Facility multilateral scheme.

“Indonesia highly appreciates the support India gave amid the pandemic. It is now the time to show Indonesia’s support. Indonesia will always support India during this difficult time and is committed to minimize the burden of Indian people. A friend in need is a friend indeed,” she stated.

In addition, the Minister pointed out that the humanitarian assistance for India is not the first one the Indonesian Government sent for COVID-19 management to friendly countries. At the beginning of the pandemic, she added, Indonesia provided medical supplies, such as masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers to Wuhan in China.

Indonesia also gave assistance to Palestine and Pacific countries as well as contributions to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to support equal access to vaccines for all countries.

“We believe that to successfully tackle the pandemic, solidarity, collaboration, and cooperation are a must. No country should be left behind. No one is safe until everyone is. Only with the spirit of solidarity and cooperation will we come out of the pandemic as winners. Recover together, recover stronger,” she remarked.