Ministry of Social Affairs Programs Anticipate Pandemic Driven Poverty

MEDAN (13 November 2020) – The pandemic is predicted to trigger an increase in the poverty rate in a number of countries, including Indonesia. Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs was ready with a number of programs to control the rate of increasing poverty.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs has regular programs that have been proven to be effective in reducing the increase in the poverty rate namely the Family Hope Program (PKH) and the Sembako Program. These two programs will continue in 2021," said Social Minister Juliari after inspecting the disbursement of Cash Social Assistance (BST) at the Medan City Post Office, Friday (13/11).

The Indonesian Parliament has approved the Ministry of Social Affairs Budget Ceiling for FY 2021 amounting to IDR 92,817 trillion. From this figure, IDR 91 trillion is the budget for social assistance. This figure has increased from the previous year reaching IDR 60.4 trillion increase.

A ceiling of IDR 30.4 trillion is set for PKH Social Assistance while for the Sembako Program/ Non-Cash Food Program (BPNT) is IDR 44.7 trillion.

"Next year PKH social assistance will reach 10 million KPM. This number is bigger than the previous year which reached 9.2 million KPM. The Sembako Program reaches 18.5 million KPM with the same index which is IDR 200 thousand/KPM," said the Social Minister.

The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs will also continue Cash Social Aid (BST) which is a special social aid during the pandemic. "We have decided to proceed with BST program from January to June 2021. It includes 9 million KPM with an index of IDR 200 thousand/KPM/month. This is flexible by following the President's direction," Minister of Social Affairs Ari added.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also continues with various programs which are expected to increase the efforts to reduce the impact of the pandemic in the fields of social rehabilitation, social empowerment, social protection and poverty handling.

During a press conference at the State Palace some time ago, the Social Minister explained the realization of the pandemic handling program. Three social aid programs have been completely distributed.

The three social aid programs are Family Hope Program (PKH), Cash Social Aid for Sembako Program/Non-PKH beneficiaries (KPM), and Rice Social Aid Program (BSB).

“Three social aids have been distributed 100%. The realization of the PEN budget at the Ministry of Social Affairs per this day reaches IDR112 trillion or 87.44%. Then we just have to wait for the realization schedule for the remaining budget, "he said.

The Social Minister explained that PKH social assistance of 10 million KPM had a budget value of IDR 36.8 trillion (FY 2020).

In addition, he continued, Cash Social Aid for Sembako Program/Non-PKH beneficiaries reaches 9 million KPM with a budget of IDR 4.5 trillion. Rice Social Aid (BSB) for 10 million KPM with a ceiling of IDR. 5.26 trillion has been completely distributed in the form of 450,000 tons of medium quality rice.

Meanwhile, Rice Social Aid (BSB) was officially closed by the Minister of Social Affairs in Kendal a while ago.

Bureau of Public Relations
Ministry of Social Affairs