Ministry of Social Affairs Distributes Basic Food in the Suburbs of the Railroad Tracks

JAKARTA (August 10, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs continues to ensure that all residents affected by COVID-19 receive social assistance (bansos) from the government. The Ministry of Social Affairs was present by distributing 250 food packages to the poor who live along the railroad tracks in the Kramat Soka area, Senen District, Central Jakarta.

They are immigrants who are trying their luck in Jakarta. Various problems hit people, ranging from lack of identity, lack of skills, and several other factors. The majority of residents on the edge of the rail work as scavengers.

Herlina, one of the scavengers, said that in two days, her income from selling used plastic was 30 thousand rupiah. "So, a day at most 15 thousand dollars, and it immediately runs out to buy food," she said softly. Therefore, she is very grateful to get help.

This food distribution is in collaboration with the Interculture Foundation led by Ronny Poluan, which has been carrying out social activities for the poor and vulnerable in slum areas, especially the homeless, with one of the programs 'Jakarta Hidden Tour'.

Present on the occasion, the Head of the Planning Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Adhy Karyono, together with the Head of the Prevention Sub-Directorate of the Directorate of Social Protection for Social Disaster Victims (PSKBS), Muhammad Tahir, Middle Social Workers, Budi Hapriyono, and the Head of the Recovery Section of the Social Rehabilitation Sub-Directorate of Homeless and Beggars of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation, Febraldi.

The distribution of basic food assistance this time is different because it targets residents who do not have ID cards. "In the basic food assistance program in Jabotabek, actually the conditions are in accordance with the local government's proposal, namely those who have an address and have an ID card," said Adhy.

It is hoped that in the future, Adhy continued, they can do population registration so that they have a local ID card and can be registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) so that they can automatically get various assistance from the government.

The distribution, he said, was an early stage. Furthermore, it will be followed up through the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation of the Persons with Social Deviance Issues with the DKI Jakarta Regional Government regarding how to overcome the problem of group homeless this.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Interculture Foundation, Ronny Poluan, expressed his gratitude for getting basic food assistance to these often untouchable residents. "I am grateful for this assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs. I am very happy that the public can interact directly with officials in an open manner," said Ronny.

Ministry of Social Affairs cq. The Planning Bureau has partnered with the Intercultural Foundation in supporting the ease of aid from abroad entering Indonesia. Right now, Ronny called it, conditions are getting more difficult, but he is sure that he will succeed as long as it is based on good intentions.