Director General of Social Empowerment Review Distribution of Social Assistance

JAKARTA (03/05/2020), Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto directly observed the distribution of the President's food supplies starting from the preparation at Cipinang Food Station Warehouse in East Jakarta until received by the residents.

"The food stock is safe in the warehouse and ready to be distributed," explained Edi Suharto.

Food Station Warehouse has become one of the locations for packing aid. For 24 hours non-stop warehouse employees packed the food which distributed twice a month. Its distribution cooperates with PT Pos Indonesia which is assisted by security forces, RW and RT heads in the local area.

Edi Suharto also directly checked 3 distribution points of nine-basic necessities, including RW 06 and RW 013 Cipinang and RW 01, Jatinegara Kaum, East Jakarta. The purpose of this visit was deliberately to see and to make sure that the distribution of the President's food supplies could be received by the community quickly, accurately, and accountably.

"With this assistance, it is expected to ease the burden on residents during the COVID-19 pandemic," added Edi Suharto when visiting RW 06, Cipinang, East Jakarta.

A total of 3,745 food packages were given to residents in Cipinang Kelurahan, and 3,201 to residents in Kelurahan Jatinegara Kaum. The assistance was received directly by the Head of Cipinang Village and the RW RT head and witnessed by several residents and security forces.

"Thanks to the President and the Ministry of Social Affairs for providing food assistance. InshaAllah this will be very useful for the residents due to economic problems because of COVID-19," said Chairman of Cipinang RW 06 when met at the location.

"I am very grateful to the government for the assistance given to me, this assistance is very useful. I am one of the residents affected by COVID-19 and my sales have fallen currently," added one resident of the beneficiary in Cipinang Urban Village.

This food assistance which reached 1.9 million households with a value of Rp. 600,000 per month given twice a month for COVID-19 affected residents in DKI Jakarta and Bodetabek (Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi) areas has started to be distributed since 20 April 2020 and will run until June.

In addition, there is a BST (Cash Social Assistance) for 9 million residents outside Jabodetabek with a value of Rp. 600,000 / month for non-beneficiaries of the PKH (Family Hope Program) and the Sembako Program, which is provided especially for COVID-19 affected residents for 3 months.

At the end of his visit, the Director General of Social Empowerment also gave an advice to people to always maintain health, cleanliness, keep a distance, and always pay attention to the health protocol of COVID-19. During the distribution process, residents are also expected to stay at home to avoid crowds.

Also assisting during the visit, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, the Director of Management of Social Assistance Funds, the Director of Heroism, Pioneering, Solidarity, and Social Restoration, and the Head of the General Section of the Secretariat Directorate General of Social Empowerment. (OHH Dayasos)