President Joko Widodo Appraised Tzu Chi Aid in Sintang

Journalist : Anand Yahya, Photographer : Muchlis Jr (Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat), Anand Yahya, Arimami Suryo A.

Tzu Chi volunteers who also provide assistance to flood victims in Kab. Sintang and Kab. Melawi on November 16-19 2021 was also present at President Jokowi's visit on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

The big flood disaster that happened in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan received a response from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. H. Joko Widodo. President Joko Widodo or Jokowi visited the location along the Kapuas River in Ladang Village, Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan on Wednesday, December 9, 2021.

Tzu Chi volunteers who helped distribute aid for the residents of Kab. Sintang and Kab. Melawi on 16-19 November 2021 was also present during President Jokowi's visit.

Hong Tjhin, General Secretary of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation had the opportunity to explain to President Joko Widodo and parties from the Ministry of PUPR, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, and State Secretary about the amount of aid that Tzu Chi had distributed.

Hong Tjhin, General Secretary of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia had the opportunity to explain to President Joko Widodo and the Ministry of PUPR, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, and State Secretary about the amount of aid that Tzu Chi had distributed.

Volunteers from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation in collaboration with the 1205/STG Kodim and Polairud Kab. Sintang distributes food packages for flood victims in Sintang City and Kab. Melawi, West Kalimantan as well as public kitchens in refugee camps.

The assistance that Tzu Chi has distributed is in the form of rice donations from Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI and KADIN (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) as much as 220,000 kg, instant noodles (83,000 packs), cooking oil (4,575 pouches), mineral water (21,000 bottles), biscuits ( 15,000 packs), eggs (500 kg), cold medicine (5,000 pieces), blankets (1,000 pieces), sanitary napkins (8,000 pieces), baby diapers (12,000 pieces), and hygienic packages (bath soap, brush and toothpaste). 1,000 pieces for residents of Kab. Sintang and Kab. Melawi.

In his remarks President Joko Widodo said he would build infrastructure in order to deal with floods. "The construction of a geotube embankment filled with sand in the short term can reduce flooding," said Jokowi.

Hong Tjhin general secretary of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Indonesia showed the donation of rice from Entrepreneurs Care for the Homeland and KADIN (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) through the Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation.

President Joko Widodo also said that the flood disaster that occurred in Kab. Sintang and Kab. Melawi is caused by high rainfall, however, in the medium and long term, Jokowi has instructed to build good embankments and repair damaged river flows and rain catchment areas. The President also instructed to re-plant trees on the banks of the Kapuas River and Melawi River.

Support from Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI

Previously, Tzu Chi Indonesia together with entrepreneurs under the auspices of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) or the so-called Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI were committed to paying attention to the community regarding the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. This commitment is realized by raising donations for the procurement of 35,000 tons of rice for 7 million families whose distribution will begin on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Tzu Chi Center, PIK, North Jakarta. In addition to rice, the donation will also be used to procure oxygen concentrators, distribute medicines for Covid-19 patients, and support the organization of joint vaccination centers.

The Indonesian Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation together with Entrepreneurs Care for the NKRI held a Kickoff event for the Delivery of Emergency PPKM Rice Donations for Entrepreneurs Caring for the Homeland at Tzu Chi Center, PIK, North Jakarta on July 23, 2021.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the initiative carried out by Tzu Chi Indonesia with Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI which began in March 2020, managed to raise more than Rp 660 billion in funds. The collected funds are then used to procure food for the community, along with health equipment such as ventilators, personal protective equipment, rapid test equipment, masks for health workers, and medical facilities in coordination with the Covid-19 Handling Acceleration Task Force. This assistance has also been spread to 358 institutions and 1,080 hospitals and health centers in Greater Jakarta, and 26 other provinces in Indonesia.

In addition, during the Chinese New Year celebrations, Tzu Chi Indonesia and Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI have also distributed 7,381,790 kg of rice and 13,739. 840 pieces of medical masks to 738,179 families affected (economically) by the Covid-19 outbreak spread across 6 provinces on the island of Java.

Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)