TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo dispatched 140 tons of food and logistics for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. The humanitarian aid was delivered today, February 21, using four planes and departing from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta.

“We have previously sent a SAR team and a medical team, as well as opened a field hospital and the Hercules plane which was very helpful in the initial evacuation of earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria,” said the President while giving remarks in the delivery process, Tuesday.

He said the aid was part of humanitarian diplomacy between Turkey-Syria and Indonesia. “We hope that what we send will help our brothers and sisters there.”

Four Indonesian Citizens Died in the Quake

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed that four Indonesian nationals died in the disaster. Two of them had been buried in Turkey and the other two would be returned to Indonesia.

“Two others will be buried in Indonesia at the request of their families, so the Garuda plane that will bring the aid to Turkey will bring the two bodies when it returns,” Retno explained.

Apart from carrying the bodies, Retno said the plane would also carry 85 Indonesian citizens affected by the devastating earthquake. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Head of Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Retno added, would leave for Turkey today.

“They will hold a meeting and conduct an assessment of what help can be given to the local government,” said Retno.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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