Fishermen in Kajaksan Unexpectedly Received Basic Food Assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs

CIREBON (10 July 2020) - In the midst of preparing for the new normal era in Cirebon City, the Ministry of Social Affairs continues to try to be present in the community to distribute basic food social assistance, especially for residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advisor for Dharma Wanita Association of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Grace Batubara, visited and distributed social assistance for basic necessities of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Present as many as 2,500 packages in Cirebon City, West Java.

"We, the Ministry of Social Affairs, are trying to be here to meet the needs of ladies and gentlemen. We have seen that many have been affected by COVID-19. The food packages that we carry are then distributed to people in need," explained Grace Batubara.

The 2,500 packages distributed by the Ministry of Social Affairs were given to several areas in Cirebon City, including Harjamukti District, Kesambi District, Pekalipan District, Lemahwungkuk District, and Kejaksan District.

"We will distribute this basic food aid package to the elderly, disabled, neglected children and street children who are assisted by the Cirebon City PPPA Social Service," explained the Head of the Cirebon City Social Service for Women Empowerment and Child Protection (Dinsos PPPA) Iing Daiman, S.IP, M. .Si

The Mayor of Cirebon Drs. Nasrudin Azis, SH also attended the event. He said that before the new normal Cirebon City was already a green zone. But in the new normal it becomes a yellow zone. He thanked him for the help given.

"Thank you for the helping hand from Mrs. Grace and her entourage from the Ministry of Social Affairs. The proof of gratitude is the efforts to protect the people of Cirebon to avoid COVID-19. And pray that the Indonesian people will be spared from this pandemic," said the Mayor of Cirebon.

At the second location, Grace and her entourage were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Cirebon, Mrs. Ety Herawati in Kajaksan District. Ety's mother also conveyed her gratitude in her speech. And she hoped that this would not be Mrs. Grace’s last visit.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Cirebon City Government are working together to help the community during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the social assistance for basic necessities will be distributed through the Cirebon city government to people who have never received social assistance from either the central government or local governments.

Especially in entering the new normal era like this, everyone hopes that the condition of the city of Cirebon can return to its original state, so that the wheels of the economy can run smoothly.

One of the beneficiaries, Junaedi Kumis (69) said that during this COVID-19 he could not pull a rickshaw as his livelihood. Daily income was drastically reduced.

"Every day I go to the sea to look for fish, take a rickshaw, become a handyman. During this COVID-19 pandemic, I hold my appetite because no one was riding a rickshaw. Thanks to the Minister of Social Affairs, I was helped by this which was unexpected. I hope the minister is healthy, there are no problems," said Junaedi Kumis.

Also accompanying the activity were the Director of Remote Indigenous Community Empowerment (KAT), the Technical Team of the Minister for Social Empowerment Restu Hapsari, members of the Dharma Wanita Association of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mrs. Oom Komariah Suharto, Mrs. Icuk Hartono Laras, Mrs. Lily Nazaruddin, Mrs. Syfa Asep Sasa, Mrs. Sony Manalu. , Mrs. Betty La Ode Taufik, Head of Sub-Directorate of Youth Organization and TKSK, and Head of Sub-Directorate of TMPNU, MPN, and TMPN.