JAKARTA (June 18, 2020) - Entering the new normal phase, people expect to be able to do normal activities like before. However, the condition in real life is still not completely back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficulties are still very much felt especially for the poor.

Therefore, Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) is trying to be present to reach the affected communities of COVID-19, especially those who have never received assistance from both central and regional governments by involving various parties.

This time Ministry of Social Affairs along with “Badan Pelayanan Umat Kristiani” or BPUK (Christian Community Service Agency) of the Ministry of Social Affairs, distributed social assistance “Kemensos Hadir” (MOSA At Hand) as many as 1,081 packages to COVID-19 affected communities in Jabodetabek. The assistance was symbolically handed over by Director General of Social Empowerment to BPUK Board in Aula Balai Rehabilitasi Sosial Watunas Mulya Jaya Jakarta Timur.

BPUK is Korpri Unit of Ministry of Social Affairs consisting of Christians within the Ministry and is assigned to work in units around Jabodetabek. The form of activities besides organizing worship once a month and celebrating Christian holidays, are also fostering Christian employees in the form of retreats and prayer meetings. In addition, BPUK also carries out social activities such as providing compensation for misfortune families, sick and give a sign of love for congregants who are giving birth, getting married, orphaned children, orphanage children, elderly homes, disability homes and drug rehabilitation homes.

Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto said in his remarks that assistance from Ministry of Social Affairs is trying to reach all level of society without discriminating between tribes and religions.

“Kemensos Hadir is a form of attention from the government to help the people affected by COVID-19 without discriminating between tribes and religions,” explained Edi.

Today, BPUK members helped distribute sembako to COVID-19 affected communities around the residence of BPUK members in Jabodetabek. People who are given sembako from Kemensos Hadir are those who have not received assistance from central or regional government. The daily work of the majority of beneficiary resident is public transportation drivers, tire patchers, catering employees, casual labourers, and daily traders. Even residents who once had been working became victims during the COVID-19 because they got layoffs.

BPUK representatives would like to thank for the assistance provided. BPUK General Chairperson Sonny Manalu is his remarks advised BPUK administrators to be able to channel this assistance in accordance with the data that had been proposed.

“Distribute this assistance in accordance with the data that had been proposed. Make sure the assistance reaches the community who deserved it. Do not let 1 recipient receives 2 sembako,” Sonny said.

Present at the event were Technical Minister for Social Empowerment Restu Hapsari, the Specialist Staff of Ministry of Social Affairs Erwin Tobing, the Head of OHH, the General Head of Directorate General of Social Empowerment, and the Head of Rehabilitasi Sosial Watunas Mulya Jaya Jakarta Timur.