Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy's (TNI-AL's) hospital ship KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza has now sailed for the Red Sea, according to Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali.
"KRI Radjiman has passed the Gulf of Aden and is currently sailing for the Red Sea. Let us pray for the ship's safety to its destination so it can perform its humanitarian duty," Ali said after welcoming returning peacekeeping officers of the XXVIII-N UNIFIL Garuda Contingent Maritime Task Force here on Tuesday.
He also expressed the hope that all officers of the peacekeeping mission, who have embarked on a sacred duty, will return to Indonesia safely.
KRI Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 sailed out from Jakarta on January 18, 2024. Its send-off ceremony was presided over by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. The ship is expected to arrive at the Port of Al Arish in the Sinai Peninsula on the Mediterranean coast on February 14.
The hospital ship is carrying 80 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including diapers, clothes for children and adults, jackets, various types of foods and medicines, and blankets.
After the ship arrives at its destination, the aid will be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent for transportation to Rafah, the closest entry point to Gaza, Palestine.
This is the ship's first voyage outside Indonesian waters since its launch in August 2022. The ship is sailing with 214 crew members, including 40 special officers of the Navy.
On its way to the Port of Al Arish, the ship also passed KRI Frans Kaisiepo-368, sailing home to Indonesia after completing its peacekeeping mission.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
