Ministry of Social Affairs Provides Compensation of IDR 15 Million for Families of COVID-19 Victims

JAKARTA (March 24th 2020) - Representing the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara, the Director General of Poverty Handling (Dirjen PFM) Asep Sasa Purnama conveyed about compensation for death of IDR 15 Million for families of victims of COVID-19.

The Director General of PFM stated that this was carried out by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) as a form of concern and condolences from the state to ease the burden on families left behind due to COVID-19. "To ease the burden on the families left behind, the Ministry of Social Affairs provides death benefits to the heirs of IDR 15 Million per person who dies as a form of concern and condolences from the state," said the Director General of PFM on a live streaming broadcast organized by the National Disaster and Mitigation Agency (BNPB)

The Director General of PFM explained that for the provision of this compensation, currently verification is being carried out regarding the data of families who died due to COVID-19. "Currently, verification is being carried out whose family died due to COVID-19," explained the Director General of PFM.

The provision of compensation from the Ministry of Social Affairs is one of the things conveyed in the live streaming broadcast conducted by BNPB regarding information on social safety nets in handling COVID-19. Several other things conveyed by the Director General of PFM, namely increasing the value of the Basic Food Program assistance, accelerating the assistance of the Family Hope Program (PKH), and the readiness of Government Rice Reserve (CBP).

Related to the increasing value of the basic food assistance program for 15.2 Million beneficiary families (KPM), which previously amounted to IDR 150,000 / Month / KPM in January and February, currently the value of this assistance has increased to IDR 200,000 / Month / KPM during the period. March to August 2020. "Increase the value of the basic food assistance program which targets 15.2 million Beneficiary Families or KPM, from the initial IDR 150 Thousand per month per KPM to IDR 200 Thousand / Month / KPM for six months, from March to August 2020," Said the Director General of PFM.

Then the Director General of PFM explained related to the acceleration of the Family Hope Program (PKH) assistance for 10 Million KPM in the second and third stages of responding to the emergency response period so that KPM PKH would get multiple benefits. "Acceleration of assistance from the Family Hope Program (PKH) for the second phase of 10 Million KPM, which should have been distributed in April, will be the middle of this March. Furthermore, the third stage should be distributed in July to April and distributed monthly, which was originally three months, so that during the emergency response, KPM PKH received double benefits," explained the Director General of PFM.

Regarding CBP, the Director General of PFM said that the government has prepared it for use by regional heads in all areas affected by COVID-19 so that the food needs of poverty and vulnerable families who have difficulty meeting their livelihoods can still be fulfilled. "The Ministry of Social Affairs the Republic of Indonesia has sent a circular letter to the governor and regents or mayors to use CBP according to their authority and if it is not enough, they can propose additional to the Minister of Social Affairs the Republic of Indonesia," added the Director General of PFM.

In closing, the Director General of PFM said that the Ministry of Social Affairs also provided support for the task force's efforts to assist the needs of the community and officers for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He also said that the Ministry of Social Affairs hopes that this COVID-19 challenge can be quickly overcome so that life can return to normal and can progress as expected.