Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government sent the first batch of humanitarian assistance for victims of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rattled Turkey, including five tons of logistical aid, from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, here, on Saturday.
"(Among the dispatched assistance) there are food, footwear, raincoats, (as well as) blankets -- and we will continue to send (more of) them (later)," Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said at a press conference after the release of the assistance.
The minister noted that Indonesia will also continue to send more medical aid that will be prepared by the Indonesian military (TNI) and the Health Ministry.
The minister stated that Indonesia will similarly send assistance for Syrian people also affected by the disaster.
"It (the assistance for Syria) will follow (and be sent later)," he stated.
The Indonesian government also sent 65 first aid personnel, including 47 National Search and Rescue Agency’s (Basarnas’) Medium Urban Search and Rescue (MUSAR) personnel as well as 13 personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
The MUSAR personnel have met the medium class qualification set by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), a global network of countries and organizations involved in SAR activities under the auspices of the United Nations.
On the occasion, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has stated that the next batch of logistical assistance would be sent to Turkey after the aid personnel arrive at their destination.
The Indonesian government will also deploy 105 emergency medical team personnel as well as medicines and field hospital equipment on February 13, 2023.
"We will also send orthopaedic doctors. They will be deployed first because many (victims) suffer from broken bones," Effendy stated.
The government also plans to dispatch a more complete team of doctors for handling infectious and post-disaster diseases.
The first batch of humanitarian assistance for the earthquake victims in Turkey was transported aboard the Indonesian Air Force’s Boeing 737-400 A7308 and C-130 Hercules A1326 aircraft.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, Head of the BNPB Lieutenant General Suharyanto, and Head of Basarnas Vice Marshal Henri Alfiandi also witnessed the release of the humanitarian aid.
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