Pangkajene Kepulauan (Pangkep)-wapresri.go.id. Red Cross Youth (PMR) is expected to be a future cadre of Red Cross who has high solidarity in helping others, especially when a disaster occurs. Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated this when leading the opening ceremony of the 8th national Jumbara (jumpa, bhakti, gembira/meet, participate, and be happy) Red Cross Youth (PMR) at Balocci, Pangangkajene Kepulauan (Pangkep), Makassar, South Sulawesi Selatan, on Tuesday (July 26).

At the ceremony, the Vice President who acted as the ceremony’s inspector took a position on the ground and willingly exposed to direct sunlight, although a podium under a shady awning had been prepared for him.

“Cooperation and solidarity are essential. If it is hot, we both feel the heat. If it feels cold, together we feel the cold,” said the Vice President beginning his speech to loud applause of the participants.

The Vice President emphasized the entire cadres of Red Cross from 10 countries present at Jumbara to help one other and build togetherness.

“Because the Red Cross had no boundary, be it region or country. Wherever disaster strikes, we are facing and helping together,” said the Vice President.

On the occasion, the Vice President also gave awards to a number of parties who have provided support for the development of Red Cross volunteers to South Sulawesi Governor, South Sumatra Governor, Jakarta Governor, East Java Governor, Gorontalo Governor, Malang Regent, Sleman Regent, Pangkep Regent, Lion Air CEO, Managing Director of Maspion, and Semen Tonasa CEO.

Earlier, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Muhammad Muas reported that Jumbara held every five years is participated by no less than 2,500 participants consisting of PMR volunteers from all over Indonesia and 10 national associations of friendly countries, namely Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Brunei Darussalam, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

“Jumbara which this year carries the theme of Smart, Humane, and Responsive aims to improve the character and the role of Red Cross Youth as peer educators through a life-skills approach,” said Muas.

After the ceremony, the Vice President planted mangrove trees symbolically in the village of Maccini Baji, Labakkang District, Pangkep. A total of 250 PMR members participated in planting mangrove trees along with the Vice President who is also the Chairman of PMI (the Indonesian Red Cross) as part of the maintenance of the environment and disaster risk reduction in coastal areas. So far the area of 5 hectares in the village of Baji Maccini had been planted with mangrove trees.

Also attending the event, Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan, Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Budi Waseso, South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and Head of the Office of the Vice President Mohamad Oemar Setwapres. (KIP, Setwapres)