THE Indonesian GOVERNMENT through the International Development Cooperation Fund (LDKPI) sent 10 million doses of bOPV polio vaccine to Afghanistan (Afghanistan). The release of aid was carried out by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi and the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati at Soekarno Hatta airport, Jakarta, Thursday (7/3).
In her speech, Retno said that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan had not yet improved. The UN World Food Program estimates that 23.7 million Afghans need humanitarian assistance.
Inadequate health system conditions make people vulnerable to exposure to infectious diseases. Afghanistan is also one of the countries in the world that is categorized as a polio endemic country.
“In the midst of this situation, of course we have to help. And this is also based on a request from the Afghan side to be able to donate polio vaccines, because if we talk regarding polio vaccines, I think we are among the most advanced. “We have produced and exported to many countries,” said Retno in an official statement received by Media Indonesia, Thursday (7/3).
Retno said that the grant for the polio vaccine produced by Bio Farma was part of Indonesia’s commitment to the people of Afghanistan.
“Once once more, the interests of the people are always our priority. “And God willing, the benefits will be many and can be felt directly by the Afghan people who need them,” said Retno.
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At the end of her remarks, Retno expressed her thanks to all parties who have collaborated in providing this assistance, including UNICEF which will facilitate the delivery and distribution of the vaccine.
“Once once more Indonesia has shown that we are ready to contribute to humanitarian causes. “Indonesia continues to be committed to supporting the Afghan people,” said Retno.
Meanwhile, Sri Mulyani said the assistance of 10 million doses of polio vaccine was concrete support for Afghanistan’s vaccination program which will reach 3.3 million children under three years old. Transportation and distribution of vaccines will be carried out by UNICEF in coordination with the Afghan side.
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The Minister of Finance added that LDKPI or Indonesian AID was founded in the spirit of solidarity among developing countries and commitment to global targets such as SDGs.
“During its 4 years of operation, this institution has provided development cooperation grants worth IDR 356.58 billion to 49 friendly countries, including Palestine, Ukraine, Myanmar, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Fiji,” said Sri.
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