Social Affairs Minister’s Breakthrough in Overcoming Disasters by Social Granaries

JAKARTA (June 7, 2024) - Social granaries established in various regions, especially in disaster-prone areas, are a breakthrough made by Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini to provide optimal services for disaster victims. Through social granaries, aid distribution can reach disaster victims faster and follow their needs. This statement was conveyed by Acting Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security, Rabiah in front of the Sociology Student Family (KMS) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University at the Aneka Bhakti Cawang Kencana Building, Ministry of Social Affairs, East Jakarta on Friday (7/5). Also speaking on the occasion were Special Staff to the Minister (SKM) in the field of Human Resources and Program Development of the Ministry Suhadi Lili, and SKM in the Field of Social Welfare Services and Potential Sources of Social Welfare, Luhur Budijarso Lulu.

Previously, logistical assistance for disaster victims was sent from the city closest to the disaster site. However, this kind of pattern causes the distribution of aid to be slightly hampered, especially if floods, landslides, or other natural disasters block access to the disaster site. That's why Minister of Social Affairs Risma made a breakthrough by building social granaries whose locations are scattered in areas prone to disasters, whether earthquakes, floods, or landslides.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has built more than 600 social granaries scattered in disaster-prone areas throughout Indonesia. In social granaries, ready-to-eat food is available for disaster victims and other primary needs such as drinking water, kids ware, cleaning tools, and even tents, folding mattresses, and tools for public kitchens.

Suhadi Lili said that the presence of the Ministry of Social Affairs in the community is the mandate of the 1945 Constitution Article 34. This is strengthened by Law Number 11 of 2009 concerning Social Welfare and Government Regulation Number 11 of 2009 concerning Social Welfare. "Based on the constitutional mandate, the Ministry of Social Affairs continues to strive to improve services to the community," said Suhadi Lili, Special Staff of the Minister (SKM) in the field of Human Resources and Ministry Program Development.

The same thing was also conveyed by SKM in the Field of Social Welfare Services and Potential Sources of Social Welfare, Luhur Budijarso Lulu. "The Ministry of Social Affairs handles various social problems in society. The Ministry of Social Affairs handles tasks that broadly cover four fields, namely social rehabilitation, social security and protection, and social empowerment," said Luhur in front of 100 students from the Sociology Student Family (KMS) FISIP Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Zahra Maulida, Chairperson of the UGM Sociology Student Family said that this visit was to establish relations with the Ministry of Social Affairs, increase knowledge related to the work mechanism at the Ministry of Social Affairs, and find out the projects and work programs being implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs.