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IAR Indonesia receives award for compassionate conservation from international humanitarian organisation

7th July 2020

IAR Indonesia has been honoured with a prestigious award by an international humanitarian non-profit organisation. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has presented IAR Indonesia with its “Shining World Compassion Award” for its work saving critically endangered orangutans in Borneo, protecting rainforest habitats and encouraging sustainable community development.

As well as receiving a plaque to commemorate the award, IAR Indonesia was also presented with a donation of US$20,000 in support of its “compassionate work.” The Award was accompanied by a letter of admiration to Programme Director Dr Karmele Llano Sanchez on behalf of IAR Indonesia in recognition of its “outstanding philanthropic efforts.”

Karmele said: “On behalf of the whole team at IAR Indonesia, I am deeply honoured to receive this Award and the very generous donation from the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. It is heartening to know that the commitment of our team to conserving orangutans and their natural habitat and supporting local communities, is recognised and appreciated by such a venerable organisation.”

She added: “We are also very grateful for the contribution of US$20,000. In recent months our work has been more challenging than ever as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs of many vital items of food and equipment that we use at our orangutan centre have skyrocketed, so this significant donation is very welcome indeed.”

Alan Knight OBE, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue, said: “Everyone at IAR Indonesia works tirelessly to protect critically endangered orangutans and to create an environment in which people and wildlife can co-exist peacefully and sustainably. The Award from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association is a well-deserved honour. The generous contribution that accompanies it will support the team’s wildlife and habitat protection and conservation work at a time when it is recognised to be more vital than ever to the health of animals, people and the planet as a whole.”