Indonesia is one of the Southeast Asian countries sending much-needed aid to Myanmar after it was struck by a devastating earthquake on Friday. Indonesia's deputy defense minister expressed his hope that the disaster could open up an opportunity for reconciliation.
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00:00On Monday, Indonesia sent 12 tons of emergency supplies, such as tents, food, blankets and
00:09medicine to Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw.
00:14Accompanying them was also a team of 39 people, including military and diplomatic staff.
00:21And more help is on the way in the coming days.
00:25The aircraft behind me will be taking off tomorrow to send another load of emergency
00:31aid to Myanmar.
00:33Time is of the essence.
00:34And help like this could make a difference on the ground.
00:39At a press conference, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Defence, Donny Irmawan, said that
00:45once the team arrives in Naypyidaw, they'll work with ASEAN's humanitarian body, the AHA
00:50Centre and the local government to distribute the aid.
00:54He also expressed hope that this disaster could be an opportunity for reconciliation
01:01in Myanmar, much like the peace that was achieved in Indonesia's Aceh province after the tsunami
01:08in 2004.
01:11If we look back at history, we can see what happened in Aceh before the tsunami.
01:17That disaster became a turning point for reconciliation.
01:22And that's what we're hoping for in Myanmar too, where ethnic conflicts are still happening.
01:31Looking ahead, we really hope they can come together again and find peace.
01:39Indonesia has a lot of experience with natural disaster, including the 2004 tsunami that
01:45followed a major undersea earthquake.
01:49The people of Indonesia know very well the importance of humanitarian aid in times of crisis.