Ministry of Social Affairs Distributes Basic Food Aid from the President of the Republic of Indonesia in Handling COVID-19

JAKARTA (April 17th 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs distributes basic food social assistance from the President of the Republic of Indonesia in the context of handling COVID-19 in Jakarta.

"Responding quickly to President Joko Widodo's direction to immediately distribute social assistance, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributes basic food to meet the basic needs of poverty and vulnerable families affected by COVID-19," said the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara in Jakarta, Friday (17/4 ).

He explained that the aid index is IDR 600 thousand per family per month. Every month this aid is distributed twice, each IDR 300 thousand per food package including packaging and postage. The basic food assistance consists of rice, cooking oil, sardines, corned beef, chili sauce, soy sauce, instant noodles, UHT milk, tea bags, and bath soap.

Delivery times are April, May and June. Assistance was provided to poverty and vulnerable families affected by COVID-19, namely DKI Jakarta, as many as 1.3 million households.

The Minister of Social Affairs said that the social assistance distribution mechanism starts with the provision and packaging of basic foods at the goods supplier's warehouse, then sent to the homes of Beneficiary Families (KPM). This mechanism is taken so that social assistance recipients do not leave the house during the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This mechanism is in accordance with the campaign that I always tell the community to #dirumahaja, because our social assistance is the one between them," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Furthermore, for the distribution of basic food assistance, the Ministry of Social Affairs is working with PT. Pos Indonesia and online motorcycle taxi services.

"The technique is arranged there. Later on, online motorcycle taxi drivers will also be assisted for distribution to residents' homes," he said.

If the KPM is not found due to certain reasons, the basic necessities will be handed over to the Social Services Agency Sub-district through the Village Head with a Statement of Absolute Responsibility (SPTJM). Social assistance is then handed over by the Social Services Agency to a replacement KPM who deserves to receive social assistance.

"Hopefully this assistance can ease the burden experienced by the citizens of Jakarta in facing the impact of this COVID-19. I urge all parties to stay at home, work and be productive at home, #janganmudik, prevent transmission and care for the family," said Juliari.