Ministry of Social Affairs Accelerates Distribution of Social Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Affected by COVID-19

JAKARTA (April 20th 2020) - Since April 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs has begun distributing aid to vulnerable groups in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which is for people with disabilities. This assistance is an implementation of the #KemensosHadir  tagline, namely Humanist, Adaptive, Dedicative, Inclusive and Responsive.

On Saturday (04/04), the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed 700 food packages to persons with disabilities in Jabodetabek. This distribution was carried out at the "Budhi Dharma" Bekasi Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSLU) through 22 Social Welfare Institutions for Persons with Disabilities (LKS-PD) / Disabled Persons Organizations (OPD). This basic food assistance is in the form of side dishes, children's meals and ready-to-eat meals.

Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat expressed his concern for the community in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It is difficult for them to access basic foods in this COVID-19 pandemic. At least the Ministry of Social Affairs will share in easing the burdens they are experiencing," said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

Furthermore, on Friday (17/04), the Ministry of Social Affairs continued the distribution of assistance for persons with disabilities. This time, 6,839 food packages were distributed to persons with disabilities in the Greater Jakarta area. The distribution process is carried out at the "Tan Miyat" Bekasi Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities (BRSPDSN) and is distributed through 8 Social Service Agencies, 20 LKS and 13 OPDs.

"Apart from involving social institutions or LKS, we also involve OPDs in the distribution of assistance for people with disabilities, as a form of the Ministry of Social Affairs' commitment to ensure that in situations affected by COVID-19 there are efforts to ease the burden on expenses for persons with disabilities in meeting their needs," explained the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

Harry Hikmat is grateful that all the basic needs aid can be distributed quickly. "We are grateful, social assistance has been distributed to social institutions, LKS and OPD for the full support of the Directorate of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (Dit. PSKBA) from the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security (Ditjen Linjamsos), of course with the approval of the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara," said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

To minimize the spread of COVID-19, the distribution of basic food aid this time puts forward the principle of physical distancing. In addition, the aid distribution team also used unusual attributes, namely using personal protective equipment in the form of masks and gloves.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Affairs will also immediately disburse regular social assistance for Social Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (ASPD) for 23,700 people with disabilities. This assistance scheme is for nutritional and therapeutic support. This distribution is carried out by the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (BBRVPD) "Cibinong" Bogor, owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs.