Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Indonesia, Pratikno, representing President Prabowo Subianto, officially dispatched humanitarian aid to communities affected by the earthquake in Vanuatu. The relief effort was launched at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on Friday, December 27, 2024.

“The President instructed us to promptly deliver aid to alleviate the suffering of those impacted by the earthquake in Vanuatu on December 17, 2024. This initiative embodies Indonesia’s humanitarian solidarity and commitment to supporting friendly nations,” Pratikno stated.

The assistance included an Emergency Medical Team comprised of 15 healthcare professionals. The team featured general practitioners, surgeons, orthopedic specialists, internists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and pharmacists. These experts, drawn from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the Indonesian military, police forces, and professional organizations, were equipped with essential medicines to provide emergency healthcare at the disaster site.

Additionally, 50.5 tons of basic supplies were dispatched. These included refugee tents, family shelters, collapsible jerry cans, mattresses, blankets, cooking utensils, generators, boats, and boat engines. The Indonesian government also sent ready-to-eat meals, basic food packages, supplementary nutrition for children and pregnant women, and medical supplies. The total value of the aid reached USD 726,900.

Pratikno emphasized that the aid shipment included specialized tools, such as portable lights, solar-powered lamps, and equipment for cutting metal and concrete, to assist in infrastructure recovery efforts in Vanuatu.

He conveyed a message from President Prabowo, urging the deployed team to perform their duties with utmost dedication. Effective communication and collaboration with the Vanuatu government and local communities were highlighted as crucial to ensuring the aid reaches and benefits those in need.

The President expressed hope that the assistance provided by the Indonesian government and its people would ease the burden of Vanuatu’s citizens while strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations. “This humanitarian aid represents a form of diplomacy that deepens the friendship between Indonesia and Vanuatu,” Pratikno remarked.

As an active player in humanitarian diplomacy, Indonesia remains committed to assisting friendly nations in times of need. This effort underscores Indonesia’s tangible solidarity and proactive role on the global stage in addressing disasters.