JAKARTA (March 6, 2023) - Ministry of Social Affairs held a joint prayer to address the occurrence of disasters in some regions in Indonesia. As is known, 2023 has only entered the third month but the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded 167 disaster events in Indonesia. Not to mention the potential and threat of disasters in the future.

Disasters that occur not only cause damage and casualties but also people who lose loved ones. "I see for myself in the field how their condition is. Not only injured, not only sick but then some children lose their parents," said Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini when giving a statement to the media crew at the Aneka Bhakti Building of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Jakarta, Monday (6/3).

The Minister said the disaster that occurred had a significant impact on the lives of those who were victims. Therefore, the Minister invited all levels of the Ministry of Social Affairs to hold a joint prayer which was attended by all employees, both those physically present at the Aneka Bhakti Building of the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as employees of the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) in the regions who attended virtually.

"I said, let's pray together. Maybe this can help prevent us from all disasters that occur because we don't think about the incident in Plumpang and so on," she said.

According to her, the disaster management carried out by the Ministry of Social Affairs is not only limited to when a disaster occurs such as distributing aid and psychosocial support services. The Ministry of Social Affairs also conducts comprehensive assessments to find problems and needs.

The Minister illustrated she found a child victim of the Balongan Indramayu oil refinery explosion who came to Jakarta alone. The child then underwent social rehabilitation services at the Center of the Ministry of Social Affairs. This shows that there are effects caused by disasters on the future of children. "For children who lose their parents, we have to check them. What about those children for their future," she said.

In addition to the disasters that have occurred, Indonesia also must face the threat of drought which will threaten food security. To that end, the Minister invited the employees of the Ministry of Social Affairs to start planting food crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava, and other plants using simple media such as used paint cans. "In our office outside Java, the yard is big. They can plant sweet potatoes and corn. Later, if somebody needs it, they can take it," she said.

The joint prayer titled "Protect the Nation from Disasters" was led by leaders of 6 religions in Indonesia. Also present were Islamic leader KH Endang Mintarja, Christian leader Pdt Jimmy M.I. Sormin, Catholic leader Father Agustinus Heri Wibowo, Hindu leader KRHT P Astono Chandra Dana, Buddhist leader Riyadi, and Confucian leader Peter Lesmana.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs RI