Minister of Social Affairs Exposes Innovations for Empowering Vulnerable Groups at GEC

RIYADH (29 March 2022) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini was present as a keynote speaker at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs explained to the congress participants various government efforts to develop entrepreneurship programs for vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic.

The Minister stated that the pandemic hit all sectors in the country, including the poor and vulnerable groups who are the most affected. Therefore, the Indonesian government launched intensive social welfare programs to support these vulnerable groups.

"The programs are in the form of conditional cash transfer (Family Hope Program/PKH) for 10 million beneficiaries and basic food assistance (Non-Cash Food Assistance/BPNT) for 18.8 million beneficiaries. In 2021, the assistance value will be around Rp105 trillion (or US$ 7.5 million)," she informed.

In addition, there were also special affirmative programs to support vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, and orphans. The pandemic has left many children orphaned, including in Indonesia. "Therefore, the government launched a program that supports their education and daily needs," she said.

The government faces many challenges in implementing social welfare programs, considering that Indonesia consists of 16,772 islands. Under these conditions, the distribution of social assistance relies heavily on excellence in data management.

“Data management became my priority when I was assigned to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), last December 2020. Major changes in data management were put in place to ensure the right recipients and fast distribution times,” she added.

MoSA has started to verify recipient data in 514 regencies/cities throughout Indonesia. In early 2021, the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) was matched with the Population Data managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "Data matching and verification are carried out every month to accommodate the dynamics of demographic and geographical shifts of beneficiaries," she said.

Another challenge is the response to victims of the disaster in line with various natural disasters that hit, starting from earthquakes, storms, landslides, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions. In addition to handling victims, MoSA has also modified tents to ensure that the handling of evacuees follows the health protocols.

"MoSA provides entrepreneurship training and working capital so that evacuees do not fall into poverty or even become entrepreneurs," she said. MoSA also maintains the mental health of evacuees, replacing their lost income and assets due to the disaster.

For the empowerment of persons with disabilities, MoSA involves them in workshops. They make tools according to their specific needs and earn an income that helps them move out of the poverty line according to the World Bank standard of USD 1.9 per day.

Their products, such as adaptive canes for persons with visual sensory disabilities equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and fire/smoke detectors are applicable for those in need. Wheelchairs for people with cerebral palsy and motorized tricycles are also modified, adapted and specialized to accommodate their disabilities.

"This helps increase their mobility and develop their potential," the Minister added. For the homeless, MoSA has provided housing in Rusunawa starting in 2021. Currently, 200 families are ready to live in two MoSA centres in Bekasi and Bambu Apus, East Jakarta.

MoSA also provides an entrepreneurial gallery centre, namely the ATENSI Creation Center (SKA). SKA has been established in 28 of the 41 centres across Indonesia. The SKA Gallery displays gardening, culinary, and homemade products, as well as provides stalls for tailors, salons, and spas.

"The SKA is run by people who formerly were tramps, beggars, and street vendors," she informed. The Minister of Social Affairs' policies also support the lives of remote indigenous communities. The programs delivered respect for their culture while improving education, health facilities, and other basic needs.

To accelerate community empowerment in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara, West Papua and Papua, MoSA improves economic and market access by developing fibreglass speed boats and electric motorcycles.

“We also support the transition to modern agriculture and fisheries, from upstream to downstream, and food processing. This policy applies to the Suku Anak Dalam in Jambi, the Baduy in West Java and the Asmat in Papua," said the Minister.

In her presentation, the Minister also showed a video about the figure of Gading Ogi Saputra, the 17-year-old child with multiple disabilities. Every day he sells snacks and soft drinks around Pekalongan City on a wooden tricycle.

For his persistence, Gading received Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) from MoSA in the form of an electric motorcycle which was designed to suit his needs.

The assistance had an impact on increasing his income. Previously, he earned Rp500.000/day. Now, with a three-wheeled electric motorcycle, he earns Rp1.000.000/day and saves up Rp300.000/day. Gading's story has inspired many people.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs