Indonesian Minister for Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar has asked the Indonesian embassy in Japan to prioritize women and children in its efforts to help Indonesians affected by Friday`s (March 11) earthquake and tsunami disaster.
"We have contacted the Indonesian Embassy in Japan and discussed the fate of women and children affected by the earthquake and tsunami," said Linda Gumelar here Monday.
The minister made the statement after opening a seminar on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security which was also attended by former Finnish Defense Minister Madame Elisabeth Rehn at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, Monday.
Linda said her ministry has contacted the Indonesian Embassy in Japan to ensure that Indonesian citizens there remained in good condition, especially women and children.
"I am really concerned about the disaster, and I want to make sure that children and women residing in that country are safe," she said.
The minister had also asked the embassy to conduct trauma relief programs for children and women affected by the disaster.
"Of course, children and women affected by the earthquake and tsunami were traumatized. Therefore, there must be a recovery program for them." she said.
The minister also said her ministry would coordinate with other ministries and affiliated institutions to implement a post-disaster trauma recovery program.
"If necessary we can send a team of `trauma healing` from Indonesia to get there but first we need to coordinate with the related ministries and institutions," he said.
A magnitude-9 earthquake rocked Japan on Friday (March 11) and resulted in more than 900 deaths and 2000 people listed still missing.
