The Indonesian Red Cross introduces international humanitarian law to journalists

History of the Indonesian Red Cross

The Indonesian Red Cross or IRCI is the first and largest humanitarian organization in Indonesia. IRCI’s task is to help and services to victims of conflicts, disasters, health crises, disseminate humanitarian values and international humanitarian law. In addition, IRCI also has a blood donor unit in every city to meet the blood needs of the community.

History of Indonesian Red Cross in Indonesia from Time to Time

The history of PMI or the history of the Red Cross in Indonesia dates to the time before the Second World War. Reporting from the official website of the Indonesian Red Cross (IRCI), the following is an explanation of the history of IRCI from time to time.

PMI History: The Beginning of the Red Cross in Indonesia

The history of the Red Cross in Indonesia dates to the time before the 2nd World War. On October 21, 1873, the Dutch Colonial Government established the Red Cross in Indonesia under the name Nederlandse Rode Kruis Afdeling Indie (Nerkai), which was later disbanded during the Japanese occupation.

History of Indonesian Red Cross: The Struggle to Establish PMI in 1932

The struggle to establish the Indonesian Red Cross began around 1932. This activity was spearheaded by Dr. RCL Senduk and Dr Bahder Djohan. The plan to establish PMI received broad support, especially from Indonesian educated circles. In 1940, the draft for the establishment of PMI was brought to the Nerkai Conference. However, in the end it was rejected outright. Then, the draft is stored to wait for the right opportunity. During the Japanese occupation, the founding pioneers of PMI again tried to form a National Red Cross Agency. However, once again this effort was hindered by the Government of the Japanese Army, so that for the second time the draft had to be put back in storage.

History of the Indonesian Red Cross: The Indonesian Red Cross was officially formed in 1945

On September 3, 1945, exactly seventeen days after the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945, President Soekarno issued an order to form a National Red Cross body. By order of President Soekarno, on September 5, 1945, Committee 5 was formed by Dr. Buntaran, who at that time served as the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in Cabinet I. The members of Committee 5 consisted of:

Dr. R. Mochtar (Chairman) dr. Bahder Djohan (Author) Dr. Djuhana

Dr Marzuki

dr. Sitanala (member)

Finally, on September 17, 1945, the Indonesian Red Cross Association was successfully formed and chaired by Drs. Mohammad Hatta. In one country there is only one national association, so on January 16, 1950, the Dutch government dissolved NERKAI and handed over its assets to the Indonesian Red Cross. NERKAI was represented by dr. B. Van Trich while from the Indonesian Red Cross represented by dr. Bahder Djohan.

History of the Indonesian Red Cross: International Recognition of the Indonesian Red

Cross in 1950

IRCI pioneered its activities through assistance to victims of the revolutionary war for independence of the Republic of Indonesia and the return of allied and Japanese prisoners of war. For this performance, on June 15, 1950, the Indonesian Red Cross received international recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by becoming a member of the International Red Cross. After that, in October 1950, PMI was accepted as a member

of the 68th National Society by the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

History of the Indonesian Red Cross: The Indonesian Red Cross Receives Recognition by the Indonesian Government

On January 16, 1950, the Government of Indonesia acknowledged the existence of PMI by issuing Presidential Decree No. 25 and strengthened by Presidential Decree No. 246 dated 29

November 1963. PMI. The main tasks of PMI are based on Presidential Decree RIS No. 25 of

1950 and RI Presidential Decree No. 246 of 1963 is to provide first aid to victims of natural disasters and war victims in accordance with the contents of the 1949 Geneva Convention.

Purpose of the Indonesian Red Cross

In general, PMI aims to prevent and alleviate suffering and protect victims, regardless of religion, nation, ethnicity, skin colour, gender, class, and political views.

The duties of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) are as follows:

–    Help victims of armed conflicts, riots and others

–    Providing blood services in accordance with statutory provisions

–    Conduct volunteer training

–    Carry out education and training related to Red Cross Affairs

–    Disseminate information related to Red Cross Affairs activities

–    Assisting in handling disasters and/or disasters at home and abroad

–    Assist in the provision of health and social services

–    Carry out other humanitarian tasks given by the government

–      This is information about the history of PMI from time to time that needs to be known. Hope it is useful.

The Indonesian Red Cross (IRCI) introduced as well as provided education on international humanitarian law (IHL) to journalists on duty in the City and District of Sukabumi, West Java.

“Introducing and educating journalists about IHL is very important to increase understanding of assignments in disaster and conflict areas,” said Head of Media Relations at IRCI’s Public Relations and International Affairs Bureau, Anggun Permana

Sidiq in Sukabumi, Monday. He explained that such training is routinely carried out by PMI and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in areas prone to both conflict and disaster, one of which is Sukabumi, which is a disaster-prone area.

In addition, PMI and ICRC chose to hold a training entitled Media Safety for Journalists, because from the results of the data collection, journalists who work in the City and Regency of Sukuma are productive in terms of reporting. Therefore, with the synergy and collaboration between journalists and IRCI, it is hoped that it can assist in the dissemination of humanitarian information.

In addition, the main purpose of this activity is so that journalists who cover, especially in conflict-prone and disaster-prone areas, can understand their duties. In several

countries that are in conflict, such as war, journalists are often the target of violence from the two warring factions. Therefore, with education about IHL journalists when reporting does not become victims.

“Journalists are part of civil society who have the right to be protected in conditions of conflict. Crisis coverage conditions are not only wars but also disasters,” he added. Anggun hopes that after attending this training, journalists assigned by her company to cover the conflict areas will be prevented from unwanted things, because safety is above all.

Silvia Jultikasari Febrian
Silvia Jultikasari Febrian
My name is Silvia Jultikasari Febrian and I am a student of International Relations at the Islamic University of Indonesia . I really like international topics , research . technology , science , and socio - culture.