Demand for Food Assistance Increases, Social Minister Invites Business World and Philanthropists

SURABAYA (July 10, 2021) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini inspects the activities of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ public kitchen at the Convention Hall, Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim, Surabaya. From this public kitchen, 5,500 rice boxes were produced which were distributed to communities affected by Covid-19 in Surabaya and surrounding areas such as Sidoarjo, Bangkalan (Madura), and Gresik.

The Minister of Social Affairs accompanied by the Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security Robben Rico reviewed the cooking activities carried out by 133 Disaster Preparedness Cadets (Tagana) supported by other social pillars.

On the occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs stated that he had received many requests for food and nutrition assistance from various regions for health workers and field workers. On this high expectation, the Minister expressed her happiness.

"I'm glad I heard the request. Because they do have to be healthy with the support of food and nutrition. How can they work well if they are not healthy? They can be exposed," said Mrs. Risma when reviewing the public kitchen activities at the Convention Hall, Surabaya (10/07).

Social Minister Risma also invited the business world, philanthropists, and the wider community to jointly help provide food. This is because MoSA's budget is very limited. “MoSA budget is limited. So I ask for help from philanthropists who are willing to assist," she said.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs expressed her appreciation for the dedication of Tagana and other social pillars, both in the public kitchens of MoSA in Surabaya city and other cities, and their general involvement in handling the impact of the pandemic in all corners of the country.

“I appreciate the dedication of Tagana and other social pillars. They work with dedication amid a risky situation,” she said. Apart from Tagana, the District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK), Youth Organizations, Community Social Workers (PSM), and PKH companions were also involved.

The menu cooked in this public kitchen is white rice, rendang, fried cap cay, dry tempeh, and boiled eggs. Of the 5,500 boxed rice today, 1500 were distributed to Bangkalan Regency, 1250 squares to Gresik Regency, and 2,750 to Surabaya.