Distribution of Social Assistance for the Elderly in Flood Emergency Situations

KONAWE (September 27, 2020) - After previously handing over social assistance for the elderly in flood emergency situations in North Konawe Regency, the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center "Minaula" Kendari again handed over emergency social assistance to 50 elderly flood victims in six villages in Konawe Regency on Sunday (27/9/2020). 

Syamsuddin as the Head of the Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center "Minaula" Kendari explained that this assistance was sourced from the Budget for the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly of the Ministry of Social Affairs in partnership with LKSLU Wawotobi Peduli.

"This is a form of implementation of community-based Elderly Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI LU), where LKSLU partners and gets assistance from the Minaula Kendari Elderly Workshop," he said.

Furthermore, Syamsuddin said that the types of basic needs assistance received by the elderly were rice, instant noodles, cooking oil, biscuits, mineral water, canned fish, milk, honey, wasp oil, sugar, tea, masks, mosquito repellent, blankets, and medicines. 

In addition to getting assistance for basic needs, the elderly also receives health education so that the elderly remains healthy and productive.

The distribution of this aid was distributed in six locations in Konawe Regency, each in Dawi Dawi, Ahau Watu, Laloika, Lalonggotomi, Belatu, and Langgonawe villages.

One of the elderly, N (68), was happy and grateful to receive assistance from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs. When the flood hit his village, his house was submerged 2.5 meters and a lot of furniture was damaged and he had to evacuate to his family's house. "During the flood, my house was submerged up to eight boards or about 2.5 meters, most of the items were submerged and damaged and I finally fled to my relative's house in Kolaka," he said.

No less apprehensive as experienced by N, D (65), the husband who previously became the backbone of the family in earning a living for the family has been lying down for a long time because of the stroke he experienced. D, who is often sickly, has to play a double role, namely taking care of her husband and making a living by selling fried foods. The flood that occurred some time ago forced him to stop selling. To fulfill his daily needs, he hopes from the help of his two children whose condition is not yet well established. “My husband had a long stroke and was bedridden. He also had another disease. He can do nothing more," he said. 

N (65) did the same. His job is as a rice farmer. After the flood he suffered a stroke which made him unable to cultivate his fields. Finally, the rice fields were handed over to someone else to cultivate it and the results were divided. “I can no longer work in the fields because I had a stroke. I can only walk in a few meters, now I leave the rice fields to someone else to work on and we share the results,” he explained.

In addition to experiencing property losses, the elderly who were affected by the flood also experienced health problems, both physical and psychological. Therefore, the presence of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs in the form of assistance to meet basic needs and psychosocial support is very grateful and hopes that their fate will continue to receive attention.

“I am very happy and grateful that I got help, thank you, Alhamdulillah. Hopefully we will continue to get help,” said D

During the distribution, the local Village Head, Pondidaha Sub-district Head, Head of the Elderly and Child Section of the Konawe Social Service, and Senior Professionals were also present.