Second batch of RI aid lands in Islamabad

Indonesia has sent a second wave of flood relief aid to Pakistan, where 4.3 million people have been affected by floods that inundated large areas of the country more than a month ago.

The humanitarian assistance arrived at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad on Wednesday night, and was transported by the first Indonesian team to arrive in Pakistan, Antara reported Thursday.

The team, which was welcomed by Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Ishak Latuconsina, comprises 10 Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, seven doctors from the Health Ministry, four personnel from the Foreign Ministry and four officers from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

The team brought with them medicine and medical supplies and plan to stay in Pakistan until Sept. 15 to assist flood victims.

The second team, expected to have 22 members, will arrive later and stay until October to complete Indonesia’s aid mission.

The second wave of aid was sent in addition to the initial US$1.3 million package already sent to Pakistan last month, bringing the total value of aid sent so far to $3.3 million, the Pakistani Embassy in Jakarta said in a press statement released Thursday.

“A package worth $1.3 million was provided in early August in the form of logistics and medicines. The second batch of assistance, $2 million in cash, will be delivered on Wednesday,” Coordinating Public’s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono said a day before the departure of the team, as quoted in the statement.

In early August, the Indonesian government sent ready-to-eat food products, medicine and other logistics, including 24 beds, two power generators, 2,000 sheets, 4,000 sarongs and 200 packages of infant food, for flood victims.