Indonesia donates $1 million for Chilean earthquake victims

Friday, 5 March 2010

The Jakarta Post

Indonesia has donated US$1 million in cash for victims of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile, with the donation symbolically handed over by Coordinating Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono to the Chilean Embassy on Tuesday.

“The donation was a sign of Indonesia’s solidarity and is meant to help ease the victims’ sufferings,” said Agung as he presented the donation to Ambassador Maria Fernanda Villa.

Agung was accompanied by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Social Services Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufrie. The Chile earthquake reminded Indonesia of a similar natural disaster that devastated Aceh in 2004, said Agung, referring to the Aceh tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people.

“I, on behalf of the Chilean people, express great gratitude for the Indonesian people’s assistance, which reflects their solidarity and empathy towards us,” said Villa.

“It’s very touching.”