PMI and Indonesia’s Commitment to Humanitarian Action

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – September 17 is commemorated as Indonesian Red Cross Day, marking the establishment of Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) in 1945. Beyond commemorating its history, the day highlights Indonesia’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian action through disaster response, health services, blood donation, and volunteerism.

Established shortly after Indonesia declared independence, PMI has developed into a nationwide humanitarian organization. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) currently lists PMI as having 531 branches and more than 237,000 volunteers across Indonesia.

One of PMI’s key roles is responding to emergencies and disasters. As Indonesia faces recurring risks from earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and other hazards, PMI volunteers and staff support affected communities through emergency assistance, health services, clean water provision, and disaster preparedness.

PMI also plays an important role in blood services, making blood donation one of the humanitarian activities closely associated with the organization. Through blood donation services, PMI supports the availability of blood needed by health facilities and patients.

The organization’s humanitarian work extends beyond immediate emergency response. PMI also works to strengthen community resilience, including through disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action designed to help vulnerable communities prepare before disasters occur.

As Indonesia’s national Red Cross society, PMI is part of the wider International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Its humanitarian activities are guided by the movement’s Fundamental Principles, including humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

Indonesian Red Cross Day therefore provides an opportunity to recognize the contribution of volunteers and communities to humanitarian action across the country. Through its work in disaster response, health, blood services, and community preparedness, PMI connects local efforts in Indonesia with the broader global commitment to protecting lives and promoting human dignity.