MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah established a Task Force to evacuate Muhammadiyah members and Indonesian students following clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s main paramilitary force of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on Saturday (15/4).
A member of the Muhammadiyah Task Force, Yuli Mumpuni informed 77 male students and 52 female students of Muhammadiyah were evacuated.
“Alhamdulillah, the 52 female students arrived in Jeddah, and some of them were included in the first stage evacuation to Jakarta. Meanwhile, 8-10 of the 77 male students including the Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Sudan Rifan Aan are in Port Sudan. They will depart to Jeddah today, Insya Allah,” said Yuli Mumpuni.
In collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, and the Saudi Arabian government, the evacuation is undertaken through air and sea routes.
“The first group of 850 Indonesians left Khartoum and they were evacuated with a ship with a capacity of 2,000. It was because of the help of the Saudi Arabian government. The second batch of 110 nationals departed from Khartoum by plane,” said Yuli.
Yuli mentioned 19 members of the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Sudan performing Umrah were unable to return to Sudan. Therefore, in collaboration with the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided shelter. Some of them arrived home and temporarily stayed at the Hajj dormitory.
Besides, as soon as the evacuees arrived, a medical team of Rumah Sakit Islam Jakarta (RSJI) Pondok Kopi did a medical check-up for the Indonesians from Sudan.
Due to limited stocks till May 2, Yuli Mumpuni said that the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) and Lazismu (the Muhammadiyah zakat management body) came to give psychological counselling to pregnant women and children.
Indonesian Nationals Will Return Home Soon
The International Relations and Cooperation Office (LHKI) of Muhammadiyah compiled data on Muhammadiyah members from Sudan arriving in Indonesia based on their province and region.
“We are discussing that Muhammadiyah universities will possibly lend their buses to send the evacuees home because the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism may not take them home. Therefore, it is our responsibility and Insya Allah we can do it,” said Yuli.
She also told their families not to worry because the Central Board of Muhammadiyah would ensure the safety of all citizens from Sudan.
“We, the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, keep communicating with friends in Sudan and Jeddah. Hence, trust us. Muhammadiyah will take care everything, and everyone may not panic. Keep patient and believe in Allah. We’ll do our best,” said Yuli.
What about the Study of Muhammadiyah Students in Sudan?
Regarding the uncertain future of the study of Muhammadiyah students in Sudan, the LHKI and the Muhammadiyah Council for Education, Research, and Development will coordinate to arrange new alternatives.
Bachelor, master, and doctoral students will probably be transferred to Muhammadiyah universities.
“How does it go? We will start discussing it on the second day because today we still focus on an emergency response,” said Yuli.
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