Jakarta Government Collaborates with KADIN, and UNHCR to Hold Vaccination for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Jakarta Government collaborates with Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to organize Covid-19 vaccination for refugees and asylum seekers domiciled in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.

This concerns humanity, where all must receive equal treatment

This activity was carried out on this Thursday (10/7) to accelerate vaccination program for all levels of society in order to achieve he rd immunity.

In this stage 1 vaccination, total 1,200 Sinopharm vaccines (dose 1 and 2) had been provided for 600 acceptors. In Jakarta, vaccination for refugees and asylum seekers was carried out at Bulungan Sports Building, South Jakarta. Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan who visited the vaccination site emphasized that pandemic is a humanitarian problem across nations and territories.

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"Virus can be transmitted to anyone, both Indonesian people or foreigners, including asylum seekers. This concerns humanity, where all must receive equal treatment, although we are well aware that first priority is our citizens, but if other citizens (refugees and asylum seekers) haven't been vaccinated, the impact will be also on us," he explained as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release.

He also explained the collaborative work between Jakarta Government, KADIN and UNHCR regarding vaccination activity for refugees and asylum seekers. On July, he had written letter to Minister of Health regarding vaccination for refugees and asylum seekers. The letter was then replied, followed by full support from KADIN and UNHCR.

"Therefore, we proposed to hold vaccination activity for refugees and asylum seekers in July. Later, KADIN responded it by giving assistance in preparing mutual cooperation (gotong royong) vaccination. While Jakarta Government prepared the regulations and vaccines, there was a private party, SpeedLab, who proposed to provide health workers and UNHCR who mobilize refugees and asylum seekers data," he conveyed.

Thus, his side expressed his gratitude for all parties involved in this collaborative work.

"It is an extraordinary work, complicated job, therefore we appreciate all parties involved. I want to underline that this is a humanitarian service. We will be not protected if not every one of us is protected. We, Jakartans, should be grateful because we can protect and provide sense of security for our brothers and sisters from other countries in terms of vaccination,"

Meanwhile, Jakarta KADIN Chairperson, Diana Dewi said, this activity was initiated by message from Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, who previously stated that everyone who live in Jakarta has the same rights in receiving vaccines, including refugees and asylum seekers. Therefore, they have also the right to be vaccinated, in order to achieve 100 percent vaccination target in Jakarta.

UNHCR noted, there are around 4,942 refugees and asylum seekers aged 12 years and over domiciled in Jabodetabek, but have difficulty in getting Covid-19 vaccination due to limited access and information. Besides they don't have ID number (NIK) which is the main requirement for getting vaccination.

"Through this collaborative program, approximately 600 refugees and asylum seekers are facilitated to receive first stage vaccination through Gotong Royong Vaccination. Vaccination program will continue to ensure all refugees and asylum seekers residing in Jabodetabek can access vaccination services," she mentioned.