Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono ensured the humanitarian aid distribution from Indonesia to earthquake victims in Myanmar ran smoothly.
He conveyed this in response to the Myanmar military attack on the Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying aid to the earthquake-affected area on April 1.
"We had coordinated with all ASEAN foreign ministers. There were no communication barriers between us. They need our help and assistance," he stated at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Thursday.
On the same occasion, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, remarked that the Myanmar government would completely close access to foreign aid starting on April 4.
However, he ensured that aid from Indonesia could still enter Myanmar before the deadline.
He confirmed that the Myanmar government had given permission for aid delivery from Indonesia via Halim Perdanakusuma-Banda Aceh (RON)-Naypyidaw.
"Myanmar will close aid delivery from abroad on Friday. Our aid will arrive in Myanmar on Thursday afternoon. Some of our logistical aid requires time to load the aircraft, and it will arrive on Friday. However, the Myanmar government has given permission," he stated.
He explained that Myanmar would completely close access to visits by delegations from foreign countries starting on Friday. However, humanitarian aid sent before the deadline will still be allowed to enter.
The situation in Myanmar has become increasingly tense after the 7.7M earthquake that occurred on March 28. In addition to facing natural disasters, the country is reeling from unstable security conditions due to the conflict between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups.
On Tuesday (April 1) night, a Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying aid to the earthquake-affected area was targeted by the Myanmar military.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group controlling the region, said the Myanmar military opened fire on nine vehicles in the convoy using heavy machine guns as it passed through Shan State’s Naung Cho Township on its way to Mandalay City.
The TNLA asserted that it had notified the junta about the aid delivery route and plans, yet the attack on the convoy still took place.
The Myanmar military confirmed the incident, which occurred at around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the military spokesman, Major General Zaw Min Tun.
