REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian Red Cross, in coordination with Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS), on Sunday was finally allowed to give aid for Rohingya and Rakhine ethnics in Myanmar.
The Chairman of Indonesian Red Cross Jusuf Kalla on his press release said the three organizations would soon sign the cooperation with Myanmar Red Cross. Myanmar government will also monitor the aids to avoid missing target.
Kalla, the Assistant Secretary General of OIC Atta El-Mannan, the President of QRCS Mohamed Gahnim Al Mahdeed and Myanmar's Minister for Border Affairs Thein Htay on Saturday visited the refugee camp Thet Kay Pyin in Sittwe, Rakhine, Myanmar. They perceived that thousands Rohingya and Rakhine lived on tragic condition on the aftermath of the ethnic conflict. They live in bad sanitation and health facility.
The condition is much worse due to heavy rain. Most of the refugees suffer diarrhea, cholera, and Acute Respiratory Infection while lacking of food and medicine made the situation worse.
Kalla hopes that Myanmar government will immediately start rehabilitation and reconstruction. Based on his experience in solving the conflict in Ambon and Poso, the emergency program should be given not more than six months as it can bring psychological and health problems.
The most important thing to do, he said, was to increase the people's welfare of both parties. "There will not be such conflict," he said.
Minister Thein Htay said the ministry was overwhelming to face the aftermath. The financial ability of Myanmar is also limited. "We are open for aid from international organizations," he said. Htay also said that the government would keep trying to reconcile the conflicting parties.
