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Started to spread from Wuhan, China, the Covid19 virus has now infected millions of people throughout the world. Worldometers’ data retrieved on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 (at 3:23 pm West Indonesian Time) showed the increasing total number of corona positive, reaching 3,741,276. Indonesia has no exception in the number of infected people covering 12,438 victims by Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

Amidst this worries and fears, JPIC-OFM Indonesia showed solidarity and empathy towards this global pandemic. Accordingly, in commemorating World Health Day 2020 on Tuesday, April 7, JPIC-OFM Indonesia managed to give away free masks to fellow citizen of Jakarta. This action was held in Letjend. Soeprapto St., Central Jakarta, in which Br. Alsis Goa, OFM, the director of JPIC-OFM Indonesia and the staff participated. This action was meant to show solidarity as well as health campaign amid the virus’ rapid spread. This action focused on those people in need, online taxi-bike drivers, taxi drivers, children, and the passers-by. This campaign was evaluated to be successful in dealing with the lack of masker supply nowadays. JPIC-OFM also shipped masks for those people living in rural areas of Indonesia; approximately 1,000 masks were delivered across the country.

JPIC-OFM Indonesia also handed over Personal-Protective Equipment (PPE) to the medical personnel working tirelessly in treating the corona positive patients. This PPE specially intended for those medical personnel working in hospitals and clinics in rural areas where shortage of supporting facilities occurs. The PPE includes medical/surgical gowns, surgical masks, hand sanitizer, medical facial shields, foot and head coveralls, and medical gloves. These PPE were shipped to some hospitals and clinics in Flores, Kalimantan (Borneo), and Sumatra.

JPIC-OFM Indonesia also distributed food, such as rice, instant noodles, eggs, and cooking oil to those most vulnerable Jakarta’s citizens. There are about 200 food packages delivered. Those most vulnerable citizens are those who live below poverty line as classified by the government.

This is our small story on helping our neighbors impacted by this global pandemic. This action was also meant to show our effort in helping the government to stop the virus’ spread. God bless us all.

 

Br. Alsis Goa, OFM
JPIC Animator of the St. Michael Archangel Province
Jakarta, Indonesia