Minister Risma Gives More Attention to Papuan Communities by Distributing Various Assistance

JAYAPURA (August 28, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini provided various Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) and social empowerment assistance to some communities in Papua. The symbolic handover of assistance was delivered by Minister of Social Affairs Risma who was represented by the Special Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs for Communication and Mass Media, Don Rozano Sigit Prakoeswa.

The handover of ATENSI assistance was given to 13 children in Jayapura, Papua. The assistance was in the form of school supplies, clothing, food, nutrition, and personal hygiene equipment. "For the disabled, we have ATENSI assistance," explained Salahudin Yahya, Secretary of the Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Affairs, while saying that the assistance provided had gone through an assessment and met the eligibility.

In addition, ATENSI assistance was also given to three people with disabilities in the form of wheelchairs and adaptive canes.  "I'm happy, this is the first time I've received wheelchair assistance," said Ice Kogoya (42), a resident of Jayapura City, while expressing gratitude to Social Affairs Minister Risma for the assistance she received.

In addition to ATENSI, Social Affairs Minister Risma also provided social empowerment assistance to the community in Asmat Regency and Pegunungan Bintang Regency. "We are working with the Diocese in assisting in the field, now it is in process," explained Mira Riyati, Director General of Social Empowerment of Ministry of Social Affairs. For Pegunungan Bintang, the assistance provided was in the form of 646 pigs. Meanwhile, the assistance provided in Asmat was 1,500 laying hens, 1,000 broiler chickens, 5,000 catfish seeds, pellet/feed-making machines, corn cultivation trials, and honey houses.

Social Affairs Minister Risma consistently prioritizes various poverty alleviation efforts in border areas, one of which is Papua. This is done because if poverty in border areas is not handled, it can increase the potential for the destruction of the integrity and unity of the nation.  When people in border areas feel that the state is not present to reach them, they are easily influenced by various parties to separate from Indonesia. The various assistance provided in Papua shows the manifestation of the state's presence embracing them at the border.