Ministry of Social Affairs Gaves an Award for Strategic Partners in Disaster Management

The partners are Yayasan Pundi Amal Peduli Kasih SCTV Indosiar, Yayasan Dana Kemanusiaan Kompas and Yayasan Wings Peduli. The award was given directly by Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini at the Ministry of Social Affairs Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (21/12).

In her remarks, the Minister of Social Affairs stated that the government cannot work alone to overcome various social challenges. Synergy with various parties is important to strengthen, in line with the high incidence of disasters in the country.

"We often face various disasters. For refugees, they need various assistance, such as food or rehabilitation of damaged houses. This is where support from various parties is needed," said the Minister.

She expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the three parties who have helped on various occasions. "So, I am very maturnuwun (thank you) very much because consistently, Kompas, SCTV and Wings, if we have a disaster, are always with us so that we feel that the Ministry of Social Affairs is not alone," said Risma.

Social Minister Risma explained that the series of disasters that occurred required quick handling, including the readiness of the assistance funds. Meanwhile, the management of the state budget cannot support every condition.

The Ministry of Social Affairs needs to make efficient use of the budget so that the existing budget can continue to support disaster management. One of the efforts is to design their own tents to reduce costs. As a result, all aid logistics prices can go down.

"But, the disaster does not stop. Yesterday, I was afraid, we were still finishing Cianjur first. Suddenly, there was a high-magnitude earthquake in Garut. Thank God, it did not have a big impact," she said.

Regarding the Ministry of Social Affairs' efforts in the process of handling the survivor due to the Cianjur earthquake, Social Minister Risma ensured that the deployment of Social Ministry officers every day reached an average of 1,600 people. There is also assistance from the Disaster Voluntary Worker (Tagana) which reaches 450-500 people from Java Island, as well as from outside Java.

"Our manpower is also limited. I am thinking about how to proceed," said Risma.

Furthermore, Risma explained that the rehabilitation process of houses damaged by the Cianjur earthquake is currently ongoing. It is targeted that as many as 8 thousand housing units can be built until Eid Al-Fitr 2023. However, on the other hand, there are still around 76 thousand survivors who are still staying in evacuation sites.

"It has decreased. Many of them have returned home, although their houses may still have damages. But, 76,000 of them may have no other choice so they are still in evacuation camps," he said.

To be able to escape from the survivors’ camp, Social Affairs Minister Risma ensures empowerment efforts through training. It is hoped that, slowly, the Cianjur earthquake victims can quickly become independent and economically active.

"Once again, I thank you all for helping to ease the burden on the community through us. Hopefully, once again, you will continue to help our brothers and sisters," she said hopefully.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs RI