JAKARTA (May 18, 2020) - Ministry of Social through Directorate General of Social Empowerment distributed social assistance as many as 250 food packages at Blok M Square market traders, which came from grant funds.

This food assistance worth Rp.200,000 / package is symbolically handed over by the Head of Sub-Directorate for Potential Business of the Directorate of PSPKKM to the Head of Blok M Trade Association.

Bosman, as Head of the Blok M Traders Association, said that thousands of Blok M traders were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and have been closed their store for almost 3 months without selling anything. The Union has submitted a proposal to the Ministry and other agencies, but the only one who responded was Ministry of Social Affairs.

"this assistance is very meaningful to us, it is like a drop of water in the desert. Therfore we really thankful to the Minister of Social Affairs," Bosman said.

Assistance will be distributed to Block M market traders affected by COVID-19 such as vegetable traders, wet fish, groceries, booksellers, placards, accessories, and bag traders.

Head of Sub Directorate of Potential Business World Directorate of PSPKKM, Latifah Ningrum said that this is something that we need to do to lighten up the community due to the impact of COVID-19. We hope the assistance provided by the government can be useful for them.