Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Appreciates Philanthropist Melina Margaretha

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy expressed his appreciation for all the sacrifices and dedication of the Indonesian humanitarian activist. He made the statement before humanitarian activists attending the awarding of the Humanity Awards during the Indonesian Humanitarian Congress at the Millennium Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (15/12).

“Honestly, I almost shed tears reading this (Humanity Awards). I feel how they have sacrificed tremendously for humanity, especially when we are facing Covid-19, in the ups and downs in the field,” he said when giving a speech at the activity organized by the Human Initiative.

On this occasion, the late Melina Marghareta, who is the head of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Office for Indonesia and the Philippines, was awarded the 2001 Humanity Award in the Posthumous category.

The Humanity Award 2021 POSTHUMOUS CATEGORIES were handed over directly by the Deputy for Coordination of Regional Development Equity and Disaster Management at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Sudirman to Melina Margaretha’s husband, Mr. Deby Handoko (15/12).

Among the 8 categories announced, late Melina Margaretha, who was the head of the Office of Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) for Indonesia and the Philippines and the ASB team, continued to seek practical and impactful approaches to development work, particularly through community partnerships.

During his lifetime she developed her career as a development professional with special expertise in risk management, social inclusion, and community empowerment. Skills include institutional capacity building and strategy setting for partnerships, government engagement and meaningful community participation.

With the ASB team, she continued to seek practical and impactful approaches to development work, particularly through community partnerships. Representing the Disability-inclusive DRR Network (DiDRRN), she was actively involved in the global DRR/CCA policy consultation forum with a particular focus on mainstreaming disability inclusion.