BANTEN: Some 3,000 volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) are taking part in a week-long national workshop at Pantai Matahari Caritaria resort in Pandeglang regency, Banten.

"This is the biggest national gathering after the humanitarian operation for the tsunami disaster in Aceh and Nias in 2004," the organizing committee chairwoman Airin Rachmi Diany told The Jakarta Post after the workshop's opening Thursday.

A number of Red Cross volunteers from Bangladesh, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Netherlands are also taking part in the workshops that will run until Nov. 5.

"The national workshop this time is very special because it will also be a reunion for all volunteers who were assigned during the humanitarian operations in tsunami-hit areas."

PMI chairman Mari'e Muhammad said that the 63-year-old organization relied heavily on volunteers for its activities.

"Therefore, the national workshop is aimed at improving the performance of the volunteers, he said.

"This is also a way to show our appreciation to their dedication and service to society." -- JP

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