MoSA Responds to Cases of Children Who Lost Parents Due to Covid-19 through the ATENSI Program

Writer :

Humas Ditjen Rehabilitasi Sosial

Editor :

Annisa YH

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

JAKARTA (8 September 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs attended a webinar held in the context of the 49th Anniversary of SOS Children's Villages Indonesia. This webinar is in response to the impact of Covid-19 on children who have lost their parental care due to Covid-19.

The Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat as one of the speakers at today's webinar said that based on the data reported to the Ministry of Social Affairs as of September 7, 2021, the total number of Orphans, Motherless, Fatherless was 25,202 children.

Efforts to collect data and respond to cases for children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19, the Ministry of Social Affairs provides direct support through the Social Rehabilitation Assistance Program (ATENSI) which includes support for fulfilling a decent life, this assistance in the form of vitamins, eggs, milk, medical tests (swab, PCR), and completeness of the child's identity.

Harry Hikmat also said that the ATENSI program is very concerned about child care, including alternative care. "The conditions in the field will determine what approach needs to be taken. Children affected by Covid-19 do not necessarily have to be taken to an orphanage, if there is a large family, it can be done by taking a family-based approach," said Harry.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through the ATENSI program also provides family assistance and/or strengthening capabilities and family social responsibility as well as providing equipment assistance for families or family members in the form of parenting skills, providing understanding and discipline for children in implementing health protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, there is also family support which includes family mediation, family preservation, reunification, inter-family support, peer group support, and/or child and family strengthening meetings.

Another support in therapy services through ATENSI in the form of physical, psychosocial, and mental-spiritual therapy is given to children who have lost their parents or other caregivers due to Covid-19. "This can be done by social assistants, volunteers to provide motivation, guidance, emotional support to children," explained Harry.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Affairs already has the scheme to prepare ATENSI Creation Center for children for their future through vocational training and entrepreneurship development so that children can live independently and productively. This training can also be therapeutic and build a positive mindset.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also seeks to provide accessibility support to help children to be able to access other needs. Therefore, the children's ATENSI program was decided as a program that responds to orphans, fatherless, and motherless so that children's growth and development can be optimal. "Let's save, honor, care for orphans, together," said Harry.

Harry also said that the UPT of the Ministry of Social Affairs is now no longer based on certain clusters. Thus, 41 UPTs should respond to various problems, and this is no exception.

"We need to cooperate with various other ministries, including the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, KPPPA, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Ministry of Health. While with the Regional Government, of course with the relevant Social Service," concluded Harry.

This webinar was attended virtually by Social Rehabilitation Centers within the Ministry of Social Affairs, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Indonesia, and his staff, Volunteers of Kawal Masa Depan,

2021-09-10
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