Indonesia Continues to Conduct Humanitarian Diplomacy : FM Marsudi

President Joko Widodo inspects the rice aid to be shipped to the recipient country.
Jakarta, 18 Jumadil Awwal 1438/15 February 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia has continued to conduct humanitarian diplomacy in a bid to contribute to global peace and prosperity, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi stated.

“We will continue to conduct humanitarian diplomacy, as we have a high commitment to contributing to peace and prosperity,” Antara quoted the foreign minister as noting at the national logistics board (Bulog) warehouse in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The minister made the remarks after witnessing the shipment of five thousand metric tons of humanitarian assistance from the government of Indonesia to its Sri Lankan counterpart as part of the efforts to overcome the impact of the protracted drought in that country.

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“Sri Lanka is Indonesia’s friendly country. Both nations were together in the Afro-Asian Conference. The two countries worked together in establishing the Non-Aligned Movement,” Marsudi remarked.

The minister pointed out that when the devastating tsunami had struck in 2004, Indonesia and Sri Lanka were severely affected by the natural disaster.

“Hence, today, we, as friends and big countries, provide humanitarian assistance to overcome the impact of drought that has affected the country,” Marsudi stated.

 
Jokowi witnesses the shipment

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Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had noted that Indonesia, as a friend of Sri Lanka, should assist that country, which is now facing a food scarcity as a result of the drought.

“As friends in Asia, we should stand together with Sri Lanka in the face of the difficult situation,” Jokowi remarked while seeing off a shipment of rice assistance in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The president said the rice assistance of five thousand metric tons is for the people of Sri Lanka who are facing a food shortage.

“The assistance constitutes the realization of the direct request of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena submitted to me through the Sri Lankan ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta,” Jokowi added. (T/RS05/RS01)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)