Tracing Scavenger Settlements, Grace Batubara Provides Social Assistance for Basic Food

TANGERANG (May 14, 2020) - Ministry of Social Affairs' Dharma Wanita Advisor Grace Batubara visited Tangerang Regency to distribute basic food social assistance. Under the hot sun, Grace, who came in Tagana's clothes, symbolically handed over aid to the residents.

"Today, from the Ministry of Social Affairs, we distribute the basic food assistance services in Tangerang Regency, namely in Salembaran Jaya Village, Kosambi District. This visit is carried out as an effort to help residents who have not been registered by the Regional Government or the Ministry of Social Affairs, "said Grace Batubara on Thursday (14/5/2020) morning.

In her remarks, Grace also prayed that the COVID-19 pandemic would soon pass and things could return to normal. "Let's continue to follow government advice, keep our distance, wash our hands diligently," said Grace.

"At RW 14, Salembaran Jaya sub-district, Kosambi district, packages of basic food assistance were distributed to the community, which recorded a total of 471 packages / heads of families (KK)," said the mother of two children.

The assistance distributed in RW 14, Salembaran Jaya Village, Kosambi District consists of 56 basic food packages for RT 001, 89 packages of food for RT 002, 135 packages of groceries for RT 003, and 92 packages of basic necessities for RT 004. Total for RT in RW 14 Salembaran Jaya villages totaling 372 packages, while 99 packages are for HKBP Salembaran Jaya. Meanwhile, there were an additional 100 packages for the scavenger community, so that the total food package assistance distributed by the Ministry of Social Dharma Wanita was 571 packages.

On this occasion, Grace Batubara also visited Icing (65 years old), one of the beneficiaries who could only lie in bed due to diabetes which had long hit her body. Grace walked over and cheered him on.

"Even though you can only lie on the bed, you have to keep your spirits up. Hopefully you will get well soon and recover, "said the wife of the Minister of Social Affairs gently. Not to forget Grace also gave tips to relieve diabetes by drinking bitter melon stew.

After visiting residents in the neighborhood of RW 14 Salembaran Jaya, Grace Batubara continued a visit to the village of Kebon Besar, where scavengers live. He greeted Rusdin (45 years), who had migrated from Cirebon. Living with his wife in a tiny hut, Rusdin admits that he is experiencing the impact of COVID-19 which is quite serious.

"Since there was Covid-19, we had no income. Now we only rely on children sent to work in the factory in Balaraja, ”he said.

Hearing this, Grace was touched and gave a package of basic necessities to Mr. Rusdin. "Hopefully it can be useful for ladies and gentlemen," he hoped.

In addition to distributing food packages directly to residents' homes, Grace Batubara also reminded local governments (sub-districts ) to actively register their citizens because it is often found that the data used has not been updated.

"While visiting earlier, one of the families was registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data in 2018 but because of the pruning, the family no longer received assistance. This is their only hope. I hope the local government can be more proactive in data collection through cooperation with the local Social Service so that the assistance that is distributed can be right on target, "said Grace.

Head of RW Agus Yanto admitted that one of the causes of mis-targeted assistance was the lack of socialization of the local Family Hope Program companion to RT / RW regarding the disbursed Food Social Assistance funds.

"With the visit of the Minister of Social Affairs here, it can be seen that there are still many residents in Salembaran Jaya Village who need assistance from the Government. Hopefully this can be an evaluation in the future, "said Agus.

Also attending the event were the Head of the Kosambi Sub-District, Tisna Hambali Rudanti, the Secretariat for the Head of the Kosambi Sub-District, M. Sarip Hidayat, the Head of the Distict Police and the Danramil (Commander or military headquarters at the ward level) of Tangerang Regency.