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PMI has new warehouse in eastern region
The head of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Jusuf Kalla, said that Indonesia should not think it is simply a nation that relies mostly on assistance, but also has to be ready to lend a hand to other countries that are severely in need of humanitarian assistance
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he head of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Jusuf Kalla, said that Indonesia should not think it is simply a nation that relies mostly on assistance, but also has to be ready to lend a hand to other countries that are severely in need of humanitarian assistance.
Kalla made the remarks when he inaugurated the operation of the PMI’s new warehouse in Makassar on Monday.
“We should not only think of receiving assistance; we need to give it to others too. This is what is meant by civic life,” he said.
The warehouse has been built with assistance from Norway worth Rp 3.5 billion (US$369,880). The 2,600-square meter warehouse, which is built on a 6,000-square meter plot of land, is designed to store the PMI’s assistance, evacuation and distribution equipment.
The equipment is ready for distribution in case a disaster hits parts of the eastern regions of Indonesia. The warehouse’s compound is also used as a training ground for PMI volunteers.
Kalla explained that whenever there has been a disaster, such as the tsunami in Aceh in 2004, Indonesia has received a large amount of assistance from various countries. It is now time for Indonesia, through the PMI, to give humanitarian support to other countries hit by natural disasters, he said.
The PMI, Kalla said, has thus far given assistance to several countries, including Cambodia and Japan following the tsunami disaster and most recently, Myanmar. “We have been assisted following disasters. We do this to show our thanks,” he said.
In addition to helping other countries, strengthening and developing the PMI is paramount as Indonesia is a country prone to natural disasters. The PMI should strive to become the first team to arrive at any disaster-hit region. “Our principle is that there are no disaster-hit areas that are not given assistance from the PMI,” Kalla added.
The PMI warehouse in Makassar is also equipped with evacuation equipment in addition to other assistance materials. The facility is designed to help speed up the mobilization of disaster assistance.
In order to meet its goals, the PMI has had to expand its equipment storage. At present, the PMI has ordered 100 tank trucks intended to deliver clean water to areas experiencing disruption to the water supply. The tank trucks will also be stationed in other PMI warehouses across the country. “What is needed during any disaster is water. Providing clean water is very beneficial,” Kalla said.
Kalla urged PMI volunteers to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities, for the sake of saving human lives. “We have to carry out our duties properly. The PMI deals with humanitarian missions without borders,” he added.
