The KOICA provided US$200,000 to the ICRC’s regional delegation to Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The funds are expected to enable the ICRC to expand its program and technical support to 67 prisons in six provinces that accommodate more than 57,600 inmates.

“When we found out about the ICRC’s program that might be difficult for other organizations to undertake, we – at the KOICA – decided to extend our support for them,” Hoejin Jeong, the KOICA country director in Indonesia, said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

“On behalf of the Korean people, we are glad to offer support to help mitigate the spread of the disease in correctional facilities in close cooperation with the ICRC. Despite prolonged difficulties caused by the disease, we wish the Indonesian people well and ask them not to lose hope and to unite to get through this,” he added.

Alexandre Faite, head of the ICRC regional delegation for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, said they were privileged to partner with the Directorate General of Correctional Institutions.

“The ICRC is working closely with prison authorities to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in detention places not only in Indonesia, but in more than 50 countries worldwide,” he said.

He expressed his highest appreciation for the KOICA’s first-ever funding received by the ICRC worldwide.