Garut and Indramayu Residents were Happy for the Presence of Mrs. Grace

"We come here to provide assistance in the form of basic necessities to those who are in need and who have not received assistance from the central government. With this current pandemic, not only our country is affected but the whole world also feels it. So this is the role of the central government, especially Ministry of Social Affairs, gives humanitarian attention, one of which is by providing these basic necessities, "said Grace Batubara.

The distribution agenda was carried out in 2 locations, namely Garut Regency and Indramayu Regency. A total of 1,000 packages of basic necessities from the Ministry of Social Affairs were distributed in Garut Regency to 9 districts through the Ratnasari Sobari Foundation. While, there are 2,000 packages of basic necessities were provided for 5 districts in Indramayu Regency, which were distributed through Yamin Palace Foundation.

Furthermore, assistance will be provided to residents around the Foundation, or to residents of the Foundation's assistants who have never received social assistance either from regional or central government. This assistance is intended for barbers, Qur’an teachers, construction workers, odd jobs, housewives, and also the elderly who are no longer working.

The head of Yasmin Palace Foundation in Indramayu Regency also welcomed Ibu Grace's arrival.

“Today is a special day for the Yasmin Palace Foundation. Because today we get great support from Ministry of Social Affairs, especially Mrs. Grace who has come and provided assistance. Thanks to Mrs. Grace and Mr. Juliari. This is a real contribution to us as social activists,” said Hasanuddin Zaenurohman, Chairman of the Yasmin Palace Foundation.

This COVID-19 not only paralyzed some aspects of life, but also all elements of society felt that the economy was very difficult.

One of the basic food assistance recipients, Ibu Diah (63 years) is a housewife whose husband works as a casual laborer. He is very happy to receive this assistance from the government.

"I am happy and grateful to get this assistance. I will use this assistance for household needs. Hopefully the COVID-19 pandemic will end soon and return to normal, "said Ms. Diah.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also crippled most traders who have daily income. Ms. Mujayana, one of the traders around the Yasmin Palace Foundation, is deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So far, I have never received assistance. So I am very happy, grateful and thanks to the Ministry of Social Affairs. Every day, I work around the Yasmin Palace Foundation, but since the COVID-19 pandemic I didn’t selling anything for 4 months,” explained Mrs. Mujayana.

On the same occasion, Mrs. Grace Batubara also took the time to visit recipients of social assistance directly. In fact, he also visited one of the children who had difficulty with distance learning facilities. The child's parents have an erratic income and during the COVID-19 pandemic there were more unemployment. So that they cannot buy an online learning facilities for their children who are in elementary school. Grace Batubara provided direct assistance in the form of laptop and school equipment.

Also attending the event were members of the Dharma Wanita Association of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ms. Syifa Asep Sasa, Ms. Magda Sonny Manalu, Mrs. Lily Pepen Nazaruddin, Mrs. Betty Laode Taufik, Ms. Eka Hotman, Ms. Nina Bambang Mulyadi, Mrs. Riris Adi Wahyono, Mrs. Warti Sanusi, Tenaga Technical Minister for Social Empowerment Restu Hapsari, Head of General Section of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, Head of Sub-Directorate for Business World Potential, Directorate of PSPKKM, DWP Garut Regency, Head of Garut Regency Social Service, Head of Tarogong Kaler Sub-District, Head of Jati Village, Administrative Assistant of Indramayu Regional Secretariat, DWP Indramayu Regency, Head of Sub-District Sliyeg, and Chairman of the Ratna Sobari Foundation.