Indonesia Provides IDR 42.7 Billion Aid for Afghanistan

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi say Indonesia plans to provide aid funds worth US$3 million (Rp42.77 billion) for Afghanistan.

Retno said the aid reflected Indonesia’s commitment to help Afghanistan, which is now under the control of the Taliban regime.

“Indonesia is committed to providing assistance of US$3 million to the people of Afghanistan, through trusted local partners,” said Retno during a virtual meeting of the United Nations (UN) regarding the situation in Afghanistan on Monday (13/9).

Retno said that from the aid worth tens of billions, US$ 150,000 (Rp 2.1 billion) was intended for humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Meanwhile, around US$2.85 million (Rp40.6 billion) will be aimed at supporting development in Afghanistan over the next three years.

The development assistance, said Retno, will focus specifically on health, education, women’s empowerment, and mining.

In release Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Retno said that the total aid provided by Indonesia to Afghanistan has reached US$ 10 million (Rp 142.4 billion).

The aid contribution is provided through trilateral cooperation programs, capacity building in the MSME sector, women’s empowerment, good governance, and natural resource management in Afghanistan.

At the UN forum, Retno also emphasized that the international community has the responsibility to ensure fast and smooth assistance for the Afghan people.

“The safety and lives of the Afghan people is a top priority,” said Retno.

In addition, Retno emphasized that Indonesia continues to expect Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban to form an inclusive government, protect human rights, and prevent the South Asian country from becoming a hotbed of terrorist activity.

Currently, Retno said there are at least 11 million Afghans who need emergency humanitarian assistance. According to the United Nations, at least US$606 million is needed to assist the recovery in Afghanistan.

During the virtual meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the situation in Afghanistan is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in history.

Afghanistan’s political upheaval takes place amid the Covid-19 pandemic and a severe drought.

“The Secretary General of the United Nations urges the support of countries, especially financial assistance to ensure continuity of assistance for the Afghan people in need,” reads a release from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Many countries are worried about the Taliban returning to control of Afghanistan since August 15, especially about the potential for the South Asian country to return to being a hotbed of extremist and terrorist group activity.

This is because the Taliban has a close history with the Al-Qaeda group and several other militias such as the Haqqani Network, one of the most respected groups in Afghanistan.

So far, no country has decided on an official stance on the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Indonesia is also still waiting and seeing the attitude of other countries regarding the change of government in that country.

Recently, however, the United Nations called on countries to engage with the Taliban in order to prevent Afghanistan’s economic collapse.

(rds)

[Gambas:Video CNN]

– .