Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the toughest challenge for the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is meeting the need of blood in the country, which reaches five million bags this year.
"Blood donation remains our priority and we are demanded to meet an international standard for the quality of our blood. This is also another challenge for us," said Kalla, who is also the PMI chairman, here Monday.
Speaking at the opening session of the PMI's working meeting here, he said the PMI should be able to meet those challenges assist Indonesians affected by disasters and those outside the country through a humanitarian mission.
"We have played a role in social and humanitarian missions in Myanmar and Thailand," he said adding that in carrying out the missions, the PMI should be able to improve the quality of its human resources.
The working meeting, he said, would discuss matters related to five-year-long programs in disaster mitigation, health services, blood donation, PMI hospitals, and the capacity building for strengthening the organization, PMI volunteers and youth red cross activists. (WDY)
