Ambon (October 3, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) distributed assistance IDR29,884,920,800 to poor and vulnerable communities in Ambon City, Maluku Province, Thursday (10/3/2024).

The assistance provided consisted of PKH (Family Hope Program), basic food, orphan assistance (YAPI), and aid to heirs of disaster victims.  In addition, there are also 121 Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) packages in the form of nutritional packages, 31 units of disability aids (wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and walkers; 2 fishing fleets for fishermen groups, and disaster preparedness buffer stock assistance.

It was directly symbolically handed over by Gus Ipul to the Acting Governor of Maluku Sadali, at the Human Resources Development Center (BPSDM) of Maluku Province.

"More than IDR 29 billion of this is for Ambon City," said Gus Ipul in front of 70 beneficiaries.

Gus Ipul, is a mandate from the President to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) to improve social welfare, one of them in Ambon. "Today we are witnessing in the form of social rehabilitation assistance and also in the context of social empowerment," he said.

According to Gus Ipul, these MoSA programs are aimed at communities that need support and facilitation from the government.

Empowerment programs, said Gus Ipul, can be carried out through mentoring, education, health, and assistive device facilities for persons with disabilities. "When empowered, their welfare will increase," said Gus Ipul.

Achazia Christabel Sopacua (5) from Rumeseng Village, one of the beneficiaries of cerebral palsy wheelchair assistance with her grandmother Yoseina (54), expressed her gratitude.

"Acha's wheelchair, which used to be too small, now has a new wheelchair, thank you," said Yoseina with emotion.

Gus Ipul emphasized that President-elect Prabowo Subianto will continue to pay great attention to improving social welfare. "That is stated in the vision and mission of Mr. Prabowo-Gibran," he said.

Gus Ipul also emphasized the Ambon City Regional Government needs to update data related to PBI submissions to support the vision and mission of President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

On that occasion, Gus Ipul also spoke with the beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH) assistance.  Ariany (37) from Waelete Village, one of the beneficiaries of PKH BPNT assistance, expressed her gratitude to Minister Gus Ipul for visiting Maluku Province. "Thank you for the assistance, may you be even more successful," said Ariany.

Acting Governor of Maluku Province, Sadali, who was present at the handover of the assistance, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Minister of Social Affairs for the assistance for the people of Maluku. "Thank you to the Minister of Social Affairs for meeting face-to-face with the beneficiaries in Ambon City," he added. (*)