Minister of Social Affairs Meets Residents, Checks Directly Distribution of Basic Food Assistance

JAKARTA (April 24th 2020) - The Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara meets with DKI Jakarta residents who received social assistance for basic food to ensure that the distribution went smoothly, was right in the amount and on target.

"The distribution of basic food to the Jabodetabek area has started since last Monday (20/4). Today, I want to see firsthand the process of handing over social assistance to residents in East Jakarta carried out by PT Pos," said the Minister of Social Affairs after giving social assistance symbolically to residents in Jati Village, Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, Friday (24/4).

Minister Ari emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in DKI Jakarta, the small community is very economically affected. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributes basic needs for underprivileged families and is vulnerable to COVID-19 through basic food assistance for 1.9 million for Jabodetabek residents.

"Hopefully this assistance will be useful, Mother," said the Minister of Social Affairs when handing over a large bag of basic food assistance to a middle-aged woman named Tuti Purwaningsih, a resident of Jati Village, Pulogadung District.

Wearing a long-sleeved batik shirt and wearing a mask, the Minister of Social Affairs was seen having a dialogue with residents who had just received basic food assistance. The Minister of Social Affairs explained that they will receive this basic food assistance six times until next June.

"As directed by President Joko Widodo, social assistance must be conveyed to the people affected by COVID-19 as soon as possible. The state must be present in the midst of the people to provide protection," said the Minister.

In order for social assistance to be on target, the Minister of Social Affairs also appealed to local officials to play an active role in overseeing the distribution of basic food aid. "Pak RT and Pak RW know best about the condition of their residents. Therefore, it is mandatory to involve RT / RW, sub-district to the provincial government so that the aid distributed is really on target," he said.

Meanwhile, a resident of RT 11 Kelurahan Jati, Pulo Gadung Subdistrict, Julihar Gultom (45), who has received basic food assistance, admitted that he is grateful for the government's assistance in the form of basic food.

"This assistance is very helpful for all of us who are affected by COVID-19," said Juli.

The man who daily works as an online taxi driver revealed that currently he can only follow the government's advice to stay at home.

"Yes, the impact of COVID-19 is very much felt. Usually we can work outside the home, but because of this government's appeal, inevitably all of our activities are carried out at home," he said.

With the basic food assistance he received, it would be well managed to meet the needs of his family. "My family members are four, so yes, we can optimize the use of this assistance so that it will last for 2 weeks," he said.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs distributes basic food to meet the basic needs of poor and vulnerable families affected by COVID-19," said the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara.

The basic food aid index is IDR 600 thousand per family per month. Every month this aid is distributed twice with a value of Rp. 300 thousand.

"Hopefully this assistance can ease the burden experienced by Jabodetabek residents in dealing with the impact of this COVID-19. I urge all parties to stay at home, work and be productive at home, #janganmudik, prevent transmission and love the family," concluded Juliari.