Director General of Social Rehabilitation Launches Basic Food Assistance from Karawang to Purwakarta

BEKASI (23 May 2020) – Starting from the position of Bekasi “Budhi Dharma” Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSLU) on Jl. HM. Djojomartono 19 Bekasi, Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Harry Hikmat and his entourage accompanied by the Head of Center Pujiyanto, Head of Administration Dewi Kania, Head of the Social Assessment and Advocacy Section Masyitotu Mulja and Section Head of Social Rehabilitation Services Indrawan and other teams headed to Karawang Regency and Purwakarta Regency to prepare for the distribution of basic food assistance to the Elderly affected by COVID-19.

Based on the results of the budget refocusing, the "Budhi Dharma" Elderly Center has prepared 3,038 basic food packages for the coverage areas of West Java, Banten and Lampung. 210 packages of basic food assistance were distributed to the elderly, 150 packages in Karawang Regency and 60 packages in Purwakarta Regency.

The existence of this basic food assistance is expected to ease the burden on the elderly as the group most vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19 so that they can meet their basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Located at Gempol Hall, Banyusari District Village, Karawang Regency, Harry Hikmat launched the handover of basic food assistance directly to the elderly assisted by LKS-LU Al-Wafi as many as 75 packages and LKS-LU Karawang Sejahtera Foundation 75 packages. Seen on the beaming faces of the elderly, mixed with emotion, joy, and happiness, who have been waiting since morning, as if to express their gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs for being present during their difficult times.

The symbolic handover of social assistance was attended by Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly Andi Hanindito, Head of General Section of the Director General of Social Affairs Herman Kuswara, Head of Balai Pujiyanto, Head of Banyusari Sub-district Iwan Sutiawan and a number of other officials within the Ministry of Social Affairs and Karawang Regency.

In his briefing, Harry said that to break the chain of spread of COVID-19, we all must obey the health protocols, wear masks because when talking without a mask, COVID-19 transmission can occur to the interlocutor, keep a distance or social distancing and physical distancing. not urgent not to leave the house.

"If we usually come to our parents to smile and kiss their hands on Eid, but now it's enough with respect and words on this year's Eid," added Harry.

"We hope that with the basic food assistance, we can reduce the burden suffered by vulnerable groups, especially the elderly who are affected by COVID-19. On behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs, we wish you a Happy Eid Al-Fitr 1441 H," concluded Harry.

Continuing to Purwakarta Regency, Harry Hikmat stopped by to symbolically hand over Cash Social Assistance (BST) at the Purwakarta Central Post Office. Furthermore, Harry Hikmat accompanied by Director of Rehabilitation for the Elderly Andi Hanindito, Director of Rehabilitation for Socially Impaired and Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Head of the "Budhi Dharma" Center, Pujiyanto and a number of officials at the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs symbolically handed over 60 packages of basic food assistance assistance to elderly people affected by COVID-19, at Purwakarta Regional Coordinating Agency.

On this occasion, the Regent of Purwakarta, Anne Ratna Mustika, welcomed and appreciated that of the 9 aid gates provided in Purwakarta Regency, the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia was the most dominating and largest.

"Regarding the spread of COVID-19, Anne reported that with the simultaneous large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the West Java region, Purwakarta was able to suppress the spread of COVID-19 with the discipline and commitment of all parties," said Anne.

"We thank the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs for being present in Purwakarta to provide assistance in handling the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in Purwakarta," concluded Anne.

The Director General of Social Affairs, Harry said that this assistance was an order from the Minister of Social Affairs so that Echelon 1, including the Director General of Social Affairs, would refocus the budget to provide assistance to vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19.

"The function of the center is to expand the reach of community services affected by COVID-19," Harry continued.

Harry hopes that related to the spread of COVID-19, prevention can be done and remind each other to keep a distance, wear masks, and as much as possible not to do activities outside and not to go home.

"The Central and Regional Governments can increase synergy in providing assistance, so that those who have received assistance from one door can share with those who have not received any assistance at all," Harry concluded

In the midst of the activity, the Head of the Elderly Center, Pujiyanto confirmed to convey a message to the LKS-LU Management and a number of parties so that the basic food assistance could be used to meet the basic needs of the elderly and asked for support from all parties to pay more attention to and maintain the health of the elderly in their environment, Age is the group most at high risk for COVID-19 transmission.

"Keep obeying the health protocols, stay at home, wash your hands with soap and running water, keep your distance, wear masks and take care of the psychological condition of the elderly so that they feel calm, peaceful, comfortable and can only do activities at home," concluded Puji.