Indonesian Red Cross Donates Rp1 Billion for Gaza

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has donated Rp1 billion to aid victims of Israeli military aggression in Gaza, Palestine.

The donation was sent to Palestines Red Crescent Society, PMI Secretary General Budi A Adiputro said here on Monday.

The Palestinian Red Crescents President, Dr Younis Al-Khatib, has called on all members of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to donate to Gaza, he said.

"In the first phase, PMI will convey cash, amounting to Rp1 billion donated by the public. The publics donation collection by PMI will be sent to the Palestine Red Crescent Society," he said.

PMI has also called on the government and businessmen to help Gaza inhabitants by donating cash to PMI, which will later transfer the funds to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Since July 11, 2014, PMI has opened three bank accounts for Gazans. The bank accounts are: Bank Mandiris JKT Krakatau Steel branch, swift code B M R I I D J A, back account number 070-00-0011601-7; BCAs Thamrin branch, Swift Code C E N A I D J A, bank account number 206.300668.8; and Bank BRI Pancoran branch, Swift Code B R I N I D J A, bank account number 0390-01-000030-30-3.

The three bank accounts are under the name of Palang Merah Indonesia. The Indonesian government has pledged US$1 million for Gaza.

Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens in Egypt have conducted a blood donation drive for people in the Gaza Strip that will be delivered through the Egyptian Red Crescent Society.

The blood drive was held along with Alquran Blessing Day 1435 Hijr and in cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy, Indonesian Mosque in Cairo, and Indonesian Students Unity of Egypt, the Chief of Social and Information Sector for the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Windratmo Suwarno, said on Monday.

Embassy officials noted their appreciation of those Indonesian people who have donated blood, according to Windratmo.

There were 49 people who registered to donate blood, however, only 41 people were healthy enough to donate.

The Indonesian ambassador to Egypt, Nurfaizi Suwandi, praised the efforts of the Indonesian blood donors.

Nurfaizi said Palestinian civilians, including children, housewives and the elderly, need blood because Israeli attacks are still claiming victims. (WDY)