PRESS STATEMENT OF INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR

ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.

Good morning, everyone.

Today I have a great honor to welcome a delegation from Indonesia carrying humanitarian assistance from Indonesia for the government and the people of Syria. The Indonesian delegation is led by Lieutenant General (R) Sudirman, Deputy Minister (for the Disaster Management) of the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural of the Republic of Indonesia, and Major General Fajar Setyawan, Deputy Head of National Agency for Disaster Management. Also join to the Indonesian delegation today, is member od Indonesia parliament, the Director for Middle Eastern Affairs form Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and the staffs form related ministry and institutions

I am very grateful to the Syrian government who together with me, in welcoming the humanitarian assistance from Indonesia today at Damascus International Airport. I am now accompanied by Mr. Moataz Duaji, Deputy Minister of the Local Administration, Mr. Khaled Hboubati, the President Head of Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and Mr. Bashar Mohsen, the Director of the Damascus Airport. We welcome two Indonesian Aircrafts, Garuda Indonesia, carrying the humanitarian aid from the government of Indonesia for our Syrian brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake. The Aircrafts are carrying totally around 75 tons of aid package consists of instant meal, winter clothes and blankets, mattress, family tents, generators, hygiene kit, etc.

For Indonesia, this humanitarian assistance is a manifestation of Indonesian solidarity and effort to always nurture and strengthen the friendship between the people of Indonesia and Syria; which has been established for more than 75 years. Helping each other is inherently become the spirit of the people of Indonesia, since it is also one of the principle of the Indonesian foundation.

“living for others is a rule of nature, we are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you”

The Indonesian government stands by Syria during this difficult moment, due to the earthquake. The people of Indonesia express deepest condolence, and saddened for the tragic loss of the families, friends, and loved-ones of the Syrian people. We join your pray and hope, for the rest of the soul of the victims, and the speed recovery for the injuries. We truly hope that this humble aid from the Indonesia may help the government and the people of Syria to alleviate the difficult situation.

About a week ago, I, with my team from the Indonesian Embassy, visited Lattakia and Aleppo. We met the Governors of both provinces and had a chance to visit and talk to the Syrian community in the shelters.

In this regard, the Indonesian Embassy is always ready to intermediate and communicate the will and the wish of the people and the government of the two countries, Indonesia and Syria, in order to enhance the existing good relationship between two countries.

Finally, on behalf of the government of Indonesia, I would like to convey our profound gratitude to all institutions and parties in Syria who have facilitated the handover of the humanitarian aid from Indonesia to Syria.

May Allah SWT bless us, may God almighty bless our efforts.

Thank you.

Wassalamualaikum Wr. Wb.