Indian social communities in Indonesia recently met with Social Affairs Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta to offer food and aid to the victims of the tsunami in Tanjung Lesung and Anyer in Banten.

At the meeting on Dec. 27, the three organizations — which comprise Masyarakat Indonesia Keturunan India Peduli (MIKIP) or the Indonesian Society of Indian Descendants Care, Sikh Sewa Indonesia (SSI) and the Indian Social Group (ISG) — said they would send some of their members to Banten to feed victims who are living in shelters.

“We have always sent our members to support humanitarian aid programs whenever a disaster strikes,” Karan Sukarno Walia, the MIKIP’s chairman, said.

Karan, who attended the meeting along with the chairmen of the other two groups, added that when South Sulawesi was struck by an earthquake and tsunami, the three communities had opened a public kitchen for a month, sending some of their members to affected areas to cook for and help the victims.

“They went to Palu in groups of five to six people and stayed there for three or four days until the next group arrived and replaced them,” he said.

The communities will also donate clothes, blankets and diapers, among others.

“We hope more Indians will join us to help the victims,” Karan said. “And we will continue to give humanitarian aid whenever the country needs it.”

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