Director General of Social Rehabilitation Distributes Basic Food Social Assistance for Disabilities People

DEPOK (9th June 2020) - Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat distributed Social Assistance (Bansos) of Basic Food for People with Disabilities (PD) Center for Vocational Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities (BBRVPD) "Cibinong" Bogor in Depok City, West Java, totaling 150 packages.

Of the 150 basic food packages, 50 packages were given to the Social Welfare Institutions (LKS) PD  namely Indonesian Muslim Blind Association (ITMI) and DPC of Indonesian Blind Association (PERTUNI) in Depok City. Then 100 basic food packages for the PD community and alumni of the Beneficiary of Center "Cibinong" Bogor, which are scattered in Beji, Baktijaya, Mekarjaya, Abadijaya, Sukmajaya, Cilodong, Depok City.

Head of the "Cibinong" Bogor hall, Manggana Lubis said that his agency distributed a total of 900 packages of basic food social assistance to PD in the Bekasi Regency, Bogor Regency, Bogor City and Depok City areas. The basic food packages provided are rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, biscuits, sardines, wafers, bath soap and laundry soap.

The social assistance for basic necessities was symbolically handed over by the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat who was accompanied by the Head of the Center, Manggana Lubis, the Head of the Depok City Social Service, the Beji Sub-District Head and Beji Urban Village Head at the Beji District office, Depok City, West Java. Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat also had the opportunity to hand over social assistance directly from house to house.

"Today we are distributing social assistance in the form of basic foodstuffs as a result of refocusing the budget from Social Rehabilitation Centers under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs," said Harry.

The distribution of social assistance involves urban village officials and Disabled People Organizations (OPD) such as ITMI and PERTUNI. "Because for PD, it is not just the basic food that is received, but there needs to be reinforcement and assistance for their condition which is quite alarming due to the impact of COVID-19 through the distribution of basic food social assistance," said Harry.

Overall, no less than 377 thousand PWD have received social assistance. A total of around 371 billion is allocated specifically for PWD, including those who live with families who receive the Family Hope Program (PKH), families in Jabodetabek who receive Basic Food Assistance, and also those who receive cash social assistance.

"We optimize all PDs from various sources, of course, in the pre-prosperous category or exposed to the impact of COVID-19, so they need social assistance in the context of a social safety net," said Harry.

The government's attention to PD has been maximized since the beginning of the COVID-19 case appeared. According to some information and references, people with disabilities are among those who are very vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19 due to limitations in implementing health protocols. For example, physical distancing in the daily activities of people with disabilities cannot necessarily be done independently, there must still be a companion.

Both PD and their companion must be healthy, especially in this transition period for Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB). It is also necessary to ensure that PD who carry out activities outside for the sake of earning a living adhere to health protocols. For example, the masseuse profession in carrying out activities still uses masks and hand sanitizers are available.

The Director General for Social Rehabilitation directed the Head of the Bogor "Cibinong" Center, Manggana Lubis to visit massage places for the Blind. The PDs hope to be allowed to return to open a massage business. "We hope to get accreditation, so that it can be widely known that we are already accredited in implementing health protocols," said one PD.

It is an example of a case that needs special attention. Collaboration with the Depok City Government is needed to ensure that PDs are in a proper place, given living compensation. And this has been done in DKI Jakarta. "We cooperate with LKS to help PD friends. We are trying to meet the basic needs of PD affected by COVID-19, "said Harry.

"Efforts to restrain the PD from taking to the streets, in DKI Jakarta it is done in collaboration with LKS. The Ministry of Social Affairs takes part in the distribution of social assistance through LKS which is a form of social rehabilitation assistance, social assistance and ensures that there are PDs who can be invited to find solutions together.

If there are PD who need further referrals, the Social Rehabilitation Centers can accept it. Entering the transition period, the referral process can be carried out again to provide social rehabilitation services. But still pay attention to health protocols.