Ministry of Social Affairs is Ready to Help 800 Children Affected by COVID-19 in Eastern Indonesia

KUPANG (May 4, 2020) - A total of 800 children in need of special protection (AMPK) in East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and North Maluku provinces will receive assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Kupang “Naibonat” Children's Center. This is a quick response to handling the impact of COVID-19.

The distribution of 800 children consists of 400 children from NTT Province, 250 children from Maluku and 150 children from North Maluku. The value of the Children's Social Rehabilitation Assistance is IDRp1 million which consists of targeted assistance of IDR500,000 for nutrition, course fees, recreational activities and other children's activities as needed. On the other hand, the rest of IDR500,000 is used for childcare efforts, family support and therapy.

In relation to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, assistance can also be used to purchase immune supplements and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, hand sanitizers, and gloves.

The Head of the Kupang "Naibonat" Children's Center, Supriyono explained that the social rehabilitation assistance for children is aimed at improving the social functioning of children and their families, as well as supporting the fulfillment of a child's proper life. In addition, assistance is also aimed at supporting children's social capabilities through child care, increasing family social capabilities through family support, implementing therapy for children and families.

The general criteria for children who will receive assistance are aged 0 to less than 18 years old, coming from poor/poor families, included in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) or the SIKS-NG application of the Ministry of Social Affairs, children assisted by the Child Welfare Institution (LKSA) include: children in LKSA and outside LKSA.

In addition, other criteria are children in emergency situations, children in conflict with the law, children from minority and isolated groups, children who are economically and sexually exploited, children who are victims of abuse of narcotics, alcohol, psychotropic substances, and other addictive substances, children who become victims of narcotics, alcohol, psychotropic and other addictive substances, victims of pornography, children with HIV/AIDS, children who are victims of kidnapping, selling, trafficking, children who are victims of physical and psychological violence, children who are victims of sexual crimes, children who are victims of terrorist networks, children with disabilities, children who are victims of abuse and neglect, children with deviant social behavior, and children who are victims of stigmatization from labeling related to the condition of their parents. Assistance is also provided for street children, toddlers and children who need the development of social functions.

The distribution of this assistance is in collaboration with Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk for the opening of a collective account whose aid funds will go directly to the account of each child receiving assistance. The distribution will also be facilitated by 38 LKSAs from 3 provinces, namely NTT, Maluku and North Maluku.

"After the assistance is distributed, the Kupang "Naibonat" Children's Center will carry out monitoring and assistance to LKSAs, families and children," said Supriyono.