Social Minister Launches 11,835 Food Packages for the Elderly and People with Disabilities

JAKARTA (April 25th, 2020) - Yesterday (24/4) the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara officially launched social assistance for basic needs from the President to 4,763 elderly people, today the Minister of Social Affairs accompanied by the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat launched basic food assistance for 7,072 people with disabilities. A total of 11,835 basic food packages were distributed to the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities affected by COVID-19.

In accordance with the policy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo regarding the ban on going home to break the chain of spread of COVID-19, people, one of whom is a vulnerable group such as the elderly and people with disabilities, will be given directly social assistance to meet basic needs. The social assistance is in the form of basic food assistance for the Jabodetabek area and cash assistance for outside Jabodetabek.

"In addition to the general public who are affected, we must also pay attention to our brothers and sisters who have special needs and are vulnerable to COVID-19 such as the elderly and people with disabilities. So do not escape our attention," concluded the Minister of Social Affairs.

The launch of the basic food assistance for people with disabilities was carried out at the Frobel Montessori Special School Development Foundation, East Jakarta. The Minister of Social Affairs symbolically gave basic food assistance for the Jabodetabek area to the Head of the Social Service, represented by the Head of Social Rehabilitation, Prayitno.

Not only that, the Minister of Social Affairs also symbolically provided social assistance to 6 students of the Frobel Montessori Special School Development Foundation, East Jakarta.

The distribution of basic food assistance for the elderly was carried out yesterday (24/4) at the As-Salam Family Compensation Center (Pusaka), Johar Baru, North Jakarta. "The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the elderly.  So through this social assistance we make sure that in the month of Ramadan, the elderly get good and nutritious food to avoid the COVID-19 pandemic," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Basic food assistance worth IDR 300.000 (three hundred thousand rupiah) consists of rice, cooking oil, soy sauce, chili sauce, instant noodles, corned beef, sardines, milk, tea bags and bath soap.  Social assistance will be distributed 2 times a month, so that the total food assistance assistance is IDR 600.000 (six hundred thousand rupiah) / person / month. This basic food assistance will be distributed for 3 months starting April 2020.

Basic food assistance for the elderly is distributed through 94 Elderly Social Welfare Institutions (LKS-LU).  Meanwhile, basic food assistance for people with disabilities is distributed through 20 LKS PD, 13 Social Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (OPD) and 8 districts / cities.

The distribution of social assistance is also in collaboration with PT. Pos Indonesia in direct distribution to beneficiaries. "This is assistance that will be given to homes by involving the PT Pos Indonesia fleet to ensure the aid reaches the beneficiary's house," said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

The head of the Frobel Montessori Special School Guidance Foundation, Sri Sularmi, expressed her gratitude in front of the media crew. "We are grateful for all the attention from the government. This is very beneficial for our children. Thank you so much," she said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will also immediately provide cash assistance for 146,181 elderly and 132,895 people with disabilities outside Jabodetabek. "Outside Jabodetabek, we will provide cash assistance," said the Minister of Social Affairs.