Deputy Mefense Minister visits Bunaken for ARF-DIREX 2011

Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia (Feb. 12, 2005) – Two U.S. Navy Sailors carry an injured Indonesian man on a stretcher from an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Five (HC-5), at Albadin University Hospital in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. The man received medical treatment aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Mercy is serving as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. Mercy is currently off the waters of Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia. (Photo: U.S. Navy /Journalist 1st Class Joshua Smith)

October 2, 2010, Manado, North Sulawesi - Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin visited Bunaken island, Manado, North Sulawesi, Saturday to inspect preparations for International ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief Exercise (ARF-DIREX) which will be held in Manado in March next year.

On the occasion Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin was accompanied by North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang and representatives of the social affairs ministry, National Disaster management (BNPB) and others.

ARF DIREX manages natural disasters and to be attended by 27 countries and co-chaired by Indonesia and Japan.

The strategic momentum will be used by Indonesia to serve its national interests, including handling natural disasters and improve coordination and establish cooperation between civil and military and integrate cooperation between the central and regional governments.

"The current preparations are already one-third completed," he said.

Sjafrie said the reason for holding the event in Manado is serving the political aspect (as a ARF decision), strategic position of Manado, and experience and leadership aspects.

According to him, the main goals of the event were to achieve good management in handling natural disasters and tourism.

"The role of the local administrations is absolutely needed in the event. As many as 27 countries will take part in the event next year," he said.

According to schedule, the deputy defense minister also visited Wori sub-district to inspect preparations for ARF DIREX in Wori sub-district.

ANTARA News