Minister of Social Affairs Hands Over 20 Earthquake Resistant Housing Units

MALAKA REGENCY (18 December 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini handed over 20 units of earthquake-resistant houses or Integrated Prosperous Houses (RST) on Jalan Betun-Perbatasan, Alas Selatan Village, East Kobalima District, Malaka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The earthquake-resistant houses were given to 20 heads of underprivileged families and communities affected by the 2021 Seroja storm.

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini hopes that the housing assistance can be put to good use. Minister of Social Affairs also hopes that residents can work together to utilize the vast amount of land available in East Nusa Tenggara, including planting various types of vegetables in their yards.

Minister of Social Affairs shared her experience when she was Mayor of Surabaya, being able to encourage people to take advantage of limited land by planting various vegetables and fruits. "Now, for food needs at home, some can use various types of vegetables that grow on limited land," said Minister Risma on the sidelines of the inspection of the Integrated Prosperous House.

Integrated Prosperous House was specially built with interlock bricks which have high resistance to earthquakes. The house being built measures 6 meters x 6 meters with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and kitchen.

Apart from providing housing assistance, Ministry of Social Affairs also provided empowerment assistance in the form of business assistance such as agriculture for 9 people, goat farming for 1 person, broiler farming for 1 person, catering for 1 person, and salon for 1 person. Apart from that, Minister of Social Affairs also provided empowerment assistance in the form of a sewing machine for 2 people, a motorbike washing business for 1 person, a kiosk for 1 person, a boat and machine for 2 people, and carpentry for 1 person.

On this occasion, Minister of Social Affairs also handed over 3,000 laying hens and social granaries worth IDR 369.9 million to residents of Malaka Regency, NTT Province.