Minister of Defense releases initial logistical assistance for earthquake victims in Turkey

Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto released 5 tons of logistical assistance for the victims of the Turkish earthquake from Halim Perdanakusuma Airfield, Jakarta, Saturday.

The aid was transported by C-130 Hercules A1326 aircraft which included, among other things, basic needs such as food and clothing.

“There is food, shoes, rain clothes, blankets, and we will continue to send them,” said Prabowo in a press statement after the release procession.

The Minister of Defense also stated that Indonesia would continue sending aid for medical needs from the National Army (TNI) and the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes).

Apart from that, according to the Defense Minister, Indonesia will also send similar assistance to Syrians who were also affected by the earthquake in Turkey.

“It will follow (for Syria),” said Prabowo briefly.

The logistical assistance departed simultaneously with the Indonesian government’s humanitarian assistance through a release procession led by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.

Indonesia also dispatched 65 aid team personnel, including 47 Basarnas Middle Urban Search and Rescue (MUSAR) personnel and 13 National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) personnel.

Phase I humanitarian aid for the victims of the Turkish earthquake departed using the Indonesian Air Force (AU) Boeing 737-400 A7308 and C-130 Hercules A1326 aircraft.

The Coordinating Minister for PMK also said that the next logistical assistance would be sent after the personnel had arrived at their destination.

Also attending the procession for the departure of Phase I humanitarian aid for the victims of the Turkish earthquake were Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, TNI Commander Admiral TNI Yudo Margono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (Kasau) Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, and Head of the National SAR Agency (Basarnas) Air Marshal TNI Henri Alfiandi. (mhn/bbs)