JAKARTA – U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Heather Variava along with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Oscar Primadi, Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs witnessed the arrival of the second and largest single shipment of 500 ventilators from the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) on Sunday (8/30). The U.S. Department of Defense delivered the brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators to Halim Perdanakusuma airport. The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer of these critically needed supplies and supports Indonesia’s urgent response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the United States has delivered a total of 600 ventilators to Indonesia following the first shipment of 100 ventilators on July 28th.
“Even as the U.S. continues to battle COVID-19 back home, we remain committed to cooperating with Indonesia. We are proud to provide these ventilators through USAID, working together with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. businesses, and other partners,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Heather Variava.
Indonesia needs more ventilators for its COVID-19 response. This donation delivers on this need, providing access to cutting-edge and in-demand technology. Further, the ventilators are compact and can be deployed to support both invasive and non-invasive applications, which gives Indonesia flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus. This U.S. Government assistance also includes accompanying consumables, warranties, and training for health providers. This donation builds on existing U.S. emergency assistance to support Indonesia’s fight against COVID-19 totaling approximately $11 million.
The U.S. Government, through USAID, will continue to work with the Indonesian Ministry of Health to facilitate distribution and training for the use of these newly arrived ventilators, ensuring that this life-saving equipment is available where most needed.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto in his remarks said, “We consider the United States a very strong friend and partner, we would like to see this relationship be enhanced, we would like to see the United States more active in the leadership role that the U.S. has always shown, in our part of the world.’
The United States is the largest contributor to global health, and continues to help friends and allies through an “All-of-America” effort that includes government, business, NGOs, and faith-based aid. Over the past 20 years, USAID has invested over $1 billion into Indonesia’s health sector, building a strong foundation for a more effective COVID-19 response. The ventilators are just one aspect of the U.S. Embassy’s emergency assistance to Indonesia in the fight against COVID-19.
For more information, visit http://indonesia.usaid.gov/ or contact USAID Communications Officer Swiny Andina at sandina@usaid.gov or +628118080084.
Link to photos, video and audio: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aNw2jvW8xztVmmIUgAH39l2BWkB_Vzzz
