Indonesian Red Cross has signed three project agreements with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) on the reconstruction and rehabilitation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam on 10 Agustus 2005 at PMI National Headquarters, Jakarta. These agreements between PMI and MRCS were signed by PMI Secretary General Iyang D. Sukandar and Secretary General of Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Dato' Hj. Abu Hasan Salleh. The signing of agreements was a follow up on the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between PMI Chairman Mar'ie Muhammad with MRCS Co-Chairman, Mr. Hisham Harun Hashim last 2 June 2005.
The agreement covered several projects which will be carried out by MRCS with PMI in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam with a project worth of 11.250.000,00 Malaysian Ringgit (ca. Rp 27 billion). The projects to be carried out include: Building and Managing the orphanage home in Padang Tiji, Pidie, reconstruction of a hostel in desa Kayee, Kunyet. Kecamatan Montasik, Kabupaten Aceh Besar and adoption of Blang Mangat village in Lhokseumawe. All projects are two-year long and will be implemented in cooperation with PMI. For this purpose, MRCS has assigned its representative to work in Lhoksemauwe and Banda Aceh.
In the implementation of building and managing the orphanage, several activities will be undertaken such as health service, psychological support, water and sanitation supply, provision of nutritious food as well as other basic needs. In the implementation of village adoption, several activities are being conducted with the aim to revive the community's livelihood. The activities are among others: provision of sewing machines, fishing boat, fishing nets, school uniform, and playground and so on. Meanwhile, a Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) and Community Based First Aid (CBFA) program will be carried out for the local volunteers.
Since the tsunami struck Aceh and North Sumatera on 26 December 2004, MRCS has delivered many activities with PMI, especially in providing relief items and health services. On 2 February 2005, MRCS set up a logistic base in Lhokseumawe and together with PMI, they distributed relief for the displaced people in Blang Mangat and Aceh Utara. On 14 June 2005, MRCS again distributed relief to 845 families in Lhoksemauwe in the form of household utilities. ***
For further information on PMI and MRCS cooperation, please contact Head of Communications Division, Mrs. M.R. Aswi Reksaningtyas, Phone +62-21-7992325 ext. 221, or MRCS representative in Indonesia, Mr. D. Sivalingam (Lhoksemauwe), mobile: +62-813-6023-3468 and Mr. Nasir Khan Abdul Rahman (Banda Aceh), Mobile +62-813-6023-2259, or Mr. Mohd. Kamal Omar (Director of Operation in Malaysia), ph. +64-2578122.