Indonesian Government Positively Welcomes The Annual General Meeting of SEAHUM

TIMESINDONESIA, YOGYAKARTA – The event of the 3rd Annual General Meeting of Southeast Asia Humanitarian (SEAHUM) Committee, officially opened by the Indonesian government through the Director of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Achsanul Habib at Inna Garuda Hotel, Malioboro street No. 60 Yogyakarta, Thursday evening (21/02/2019).

The Director of Human Rights and Humanity of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Achsanul Habib appreciates the holding of the 3rd meeting of humanitarian activists. According to him, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) continues to strive to prevent and accelerate the handling of victims of natural disasters. This is reflected in the directives of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo who emphasized the need to use a multi-stakeholder approach.

Related to this problem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RI) develops an inclusive and collaborative humanitarian diplomacy approach. It encourages humanitarian actors, especially non-governmental parties, to actively engage in humanitarian diplomacy with various parties.

"Because humanitarian diplomacy is no longer exclusive to the state. With an inclusive and collaborative approach, the handling of victims of disasters will be faster. Prevention of disasters is also effective, "Habib said when opening the Humanitarian (SEAHUM) Committee held at the Inna Garuda Hotel, Malioboro street No. 60 Yogyakarta, Thursday evening (21/02/2019).

In order to maximize the role of the Indonesian Government in dealing with humanitarian disasters in the world, the government has formed a single agency to channel the aid abroad. This year, the organization will hold conferences between government and non-governmental organizations in Southeast Asia.

"This is aimed at the effectiveness of the distribution of aid and assistance channeled on target. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs opens cooperation with various parties to collaborate in humanitarian activities," Habib explained.

On that occasion, Habib emphasized that the meeting of humanitarian activists who are members of SEAHUM is very relevant. Because, this meeting at least illustrates the latest humanitarian situation and the conditions in ASEAN countries.

He gave an example, a number of coastal areas in Indonesia were affected by the tsunami such as Palu, Donggala, Pandeglang Banten in 2018. From these events the elements of the nation united and determined to be stronger to face the disaster.

"In the last few years the disaster in Asia has taken many casualties. Especially in Indonesia there are more than 10 million people affected. "Indonesia experienced many disasters this year such as in Lombok, Donggala and the Sunda Strait," he explained.

Habib acknowledged, there were many obstacles faced in recovering after the natural disaster of the earthquake and tsunami and other humanitarian disasters. These constraints include funding, coordination, knowledge and so on.

Meanwhile, the participants of the 3rd Annual General Meeting of Southeast Asia Humanitarian (SEAHUM) were cheered  and looked amused by the show of 4 pretty dancers from Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa (UKM) Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) Yogyakarta, in addition to performance of angklung music played by the elementary students, the winner of Rumah Zakat Yogyakarta.

The Vice Mayor of Yogyakarta also attended the opening of the forum. Remarkably, the nuance of Javanese culture felt in the forum, This was seen when delegates from ASEAN countries were asked to wear blangkon by the committee, a typical Javanese traditional hat. So, all the participants wore it at that time. (*)

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