The Difficult Access Were Not Breaking TKSK Spirit To Help Victims

MASAMBA (JULY 18TH, 2020) - Flash floods that hit Masamba area of ​​North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi on Monday night (13/7), sadness is still felt by the victims. Not only a house, there are also many people was lost. Deep sorrow is still felt by victims who lost their families. Some have been found death, but there are still those who have not been found.

On Friday (7/17), Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P Batubara visited the locations of flash floods. Victims moved to safer places because their homes were destroyed by flash floods.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to doubt President Jokowi's commitment to always presence for people in every disaster like in North Luwu. The Regent please do not need hesitate if there is still need an additional assistance from us. We are ready for it," said Social Minister Juliari P Batubara when handing over the compensation for the victims at the North Luwu Regent's office.

The Ministry of Social Affairs not only provides social assistance support, but always try to coordinate with social pillars to help the victims of natural disasters.

"We always involve social pillars in the process of distributing social assistance, and at the same time finding citizens who have not received any social assistance yet. So that, social assistance can be received equally," explained Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto in his office.

One of the social pillars that play a role is TKSK. The active role of the Sub-district Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) of South Sulawesi Province is urgently needed in the disaster management process in Masamba. South Sulawesi Province TKSK was immediately moved to see this condition. One of the things they did was raising public funds to help victims of natural disasters.

"The first thing we do is coordinate with the closest TKSK to the location of the disaster in order to identify the condition there. Identifying the victim’s needs and anything which is not available yet in the location is very important. Then, we do raise funds for the victim,” explained South Sulawesi Province TKSK Coordinator Andi Syamsari.

They use this fundraiser to buy the needs of disaster victims. They have also been distributed in the form of funds based on the needs in the disaster location. In Masamba, the fundraising proceeds are used to buy underwear, blankets, masks, and gloves, because that is needed right now. Beside, TKSK also helped to evacuate disaster victims and searching the victims who had not yet received assistance. Many obstacles they face such as difficult access to locations. But this does not become an obstacle for TKSK to carry out social activities.

This is not the first time for TKSK involves in helping victims of natural disasters. When disasters happened in Palopo and Jeneponto, TKSK also had time to raise funds to help victims of disasters, and distributed to the victims.

During Social Minister's visit to Masamba yesterday, there were interesting things that made TKSK proud. Juliari Minister of Social Affairs wore a TKSK vest which became a TKSK costume when carrying out duties in the community.

"Pride for TKSK friends, the Minister is pleased to wear this TKSK vest. And we took a picture with Mr. Social Minister. Alhamdulillaah, the Minister of Social Affairs supports TKSK. In South Sulawesi, there are 307 TKSK people, and all of them are involved in raising funds for disaster victims," added Andi Syamsari.