- Setkab.go.id
Tangerang – The Indonesian Agency for International Development Cooperation (IAIDC) or Indonesian AID, through the International Development Cooperation Fund (IDCF), provided humanitarian aid of 10 million polio vaccine doses (bOPV) to Afghanistan.
The release of the Bio Farma-produced vaccines was carried out by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, and the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, on Thursday at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten.
In her remarks, Minister Marsudi stated that the delivery of polio vaccines is part of Indonesian commitment to the people of Afghanistan.
"The welfare of the people has always been our priority. Insya Allah, the benefits will be significant and directly felt by Afghanistan people who need them," Minister Marsudi said.
Menteri Luar Negeri RI Retno Marsudi berbicara dalam “Global Refugee Forum”, yang diselenggarakan di Kantor PBB di Jenewa, Swiss, pada Rabu (13/12/2023).
- ANTARA/HO-Kemlu RI.
The Minister revealed that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is still dire. The inadequate healthcare system has made the population vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Afghanistan is also one of the few remaining countries in the world categorized as polio-endemic.
"In the midst of this situation, we have to help. This is also based on a request from Afghanistan to donate polio vaccines because when it comes to polio vaccines, I believe we're among the most advanced. We have been producing and exporting to many countries," the Minister explained.
Minister Marsudi also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in providing this assistance, including UNICEF, which will facilitate the shipment and distribution of the vaccines.
"Once again, Indonesia shows that we're ready to contribute to humanitarian issues. Indonesia remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan," Minister Marsudi emphasized.
On the same occasion, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that this aid delivery is a manifestation of Indonesia's active commitment to peace and humanitarian diplomacy as mandated by the constitution.
"Indonesia, as an independent country, has a constitutional mandate to participate in maintaining world order based on freedom, eternal peace, and social justice," the Minister remarked.
"We always have a spirit of cooperation, collaboration and support for various multilateral and bilateral programs, including the world's commitment to achieving sustainable development goals, one is in the health sector,"
Since its establishment in October 2019, Indonesia AID has provided development cooperation grants worth IDR356.58 billion to 49 friendly countries, including Palestine, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.
Funded by the state budget (APBN), this institution was established to realize foreign diplomacy through various grants and development cooperation in sectors such as education, health, and other humanitarian assistance.
In addition, Indonesian AID has been able to forge development collaborations with international institutions such as the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, ICRC, UNRWA, OACPS, ASEAN, and MSG.
"During its 4 years of operation, this institution has provided development cooperation grants worth Rp356.58 billion to 49 friendly countries, including Palestine, Ukraine, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji," Minister Indrawati concluded.
