Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appreciated and thanked the Indonesian government and people for their assistance in handling the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on Monday (6/2).
“Mr. President (Joko Widodo) spoke on the phone with President Erdogan and during the conversation, President Erdogan expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all Indonesian people and also the Indonesian government,” said Retno at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday.
Retno said the assistance from Indonesia was the first assistance given from a country in the ASEAN region for handling the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
The team from Indonesia also helped several citizens from ASEAN countries who were affected by the earthquake in Turkey. In addition, said Retno, the Indonesian government has operated a field hospital to help earthquake victims.
“I get updates from time to time from our ambassador,” she added.
The Indonesian government has also begun to alert helicopters to deliver logistics for the earthquake victims. Retno said President Jokowi had also coordinated with a team from Indonesia that assisted in handling the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
“So, thank God, everything is according to plan. We will send one more flight to Turkey and Syria,” she explained.
In addition, she reported that two Indonesian citizens (WNI) died as a result of the earthquake in Turkey. The two victims were mother and child. Meanwhile, regarding the number of Indonesian citizens being treated, he could not say for sure.
She guaranteed that the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Turkey, and Damascus, Syria, would be proactive in helping Indonesian citizens affected by the earthquake.
“There are those who are being treated. I have to check again what condition they are being treated for. So, from time to time there are dynamics, in the sense that those who are being treated may have recovered and so on, but what is certain, what I want to ensure, is that we are in the field. We continue to seek and help, including the Indonesian Embassy which continues to provide logistical assistance needed by our Indonesian citizens,” said Retno Marsudi. (mhn/bbs)
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