Visiting Location of The Flood, The Wife of The Minister of Social Affairs Encourages The Children and Observes The Disbursement of PKH Social Assistance

LEBAK DISTRICT (January 21st 2020) - Children who were victims of flash floods in Lebak Regency, Banten, which occurred in early 2020, were encouraged to keep their enthusiasm for school. This was disclosed by the wife of the Minister of Social Affairs as Advisor for the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Grace Batubara when she visited the flood locations in Lebakgedong District, Lebak Regency, Banten Province, Tuesday (21/1).

"You have to stay diligent in school, even though the conditions are (not possible) like this. To become a leader, you must never leave school. Keep up your spirit, huh!" Grace said in front of emergency school students.

After the floods hit the Jabodetabek area, and parts of West Java and Banten some time ago, the Ministry of Social Affairs often visited the disaster site to review the impact of the damage and distribute aid in order to meet the basic needs of the refugees. This time, the area affected by flash floods in the Lebakgedong area became the location for the social service action of this woman who was known to have a high social spirit.

"This (visit) is a follow-up to the working visit of President Joko Widodo and the Minister of Social Affairs at that time. So, we are here to distribute the aid needed by the affected communities", said Grace.

The total assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs for flood victims was worth 740.11 million rupiah consisting of 2,000 school uniform packages (1,000 SD uniform packages, 600 SMP uniform packages, 400 SMA uniform packages), 120 ready-to-eat food packages A, B, C, D, 222 packages of children's food, 2,800 packages of instant noodles, 300 packages of side dishes, 10 sheets of roll tents, 10 mattresses, 20 packages of family kits, 20 packages of kids ware, 50 sheets of blankets and 50 packages of family kitchen utensils.

Other assistance came from the Ministry of Religion in the form of 300 religious equipment (100 sarongs, 100 prayer mats, 100 prayer mats) and the Ministry of Education and Culture in the form of 500 elementary school uniforms (250 men and 250 women).

Previously, President Joko Widodo had also visited this location on January 7th  According to Grace, during the President's visit, he accommodated many requests from parents who said that their children had lost their uniforms, including school supplies because they were washed away.

"We came to bring a number of sets of uniforms and packages of school supplies that the children really need. In this case, we are helped a lot by the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud)," said Grace.

Grace, who came accompanied by DWP women from the Ministry of Social Affairs, visited a number of specific points including the La Tansa Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes), the Emergency School of SDN II Banjar Irrigation, Darul Mustafa Ponpes and the Rindam III / Siliwangi Education and Training Command (Dodiklatpur) Ciuyah.

Two of these locations, namely the La Tansa Islamic Boarding School and the Emergency School of SDN II Banjar Irrigation, are considered to be the locations with the most severely affected by flash floods. In fact, children at SDN II Banjar Irigasi had to be willing to study temporarily in emergency classes because their school building was damaged by the flood. According to the principal of the school, after the banjir bandang incident, the school will be relocated in the future.

Meanwhile, the two other visiting locations, namely Darul Mustafa Islamic Boarding School and Dodiklatpur Rindam III / Siliwangi Ciuyah, functioned as a shelter for local residents. Apart from the evacuation posts, in these two locations there are also data and information centers regarding the fluctuation of refugees and a field public kitchen.

"Lebak is one of the areas affected by major floods. Honestly, I am sad and have great empathy for what is happening here", said Grace.

Grace said that her presence among students at this school was a joy in itself because she could see faces full of enthusiasm even after experiencing a disaster.

"I salute the children here, even though they have experienced the disaster but they are all so excited," Grace said with emotion.

Replacement of Savings Book for KPM PKH

In addition to distributing aid, the Ministry of Social Affairs also ensures that all Beneficiary Families (KPM) of the Family Hope Program (PKH) who are victims of flash floods in Banten Province will receive new savings books and Prosperous Family Cards (KKS).

"KPM ladies do not need to worry. We will provide new savings books and cards so that PKH assistance will still be received from the Ministry of Social Affairs and can be retrieved at stage one at each appointed bank", said Grace.

The Ministry of Social Affairs noted that as many as 106 KPM PKH were affected by the disaster. Of these, there were 20 KPM whose savings books and KKS were missing.

"They will all receive assistance from the government. Their money will not be lost in savings," he explained.

On this occasion, Grace immediately handed over the savings book and KKS symbolically to the four KPM. The four of them immediately used their cards to disburse assistance obtained through BRI's mobile ATM machines.