TANGERANG (June 6, 2020) - The distribution of social assistance for residents affected by COVID-19 continues to be carried out and ensured can be received to those who really need it. Ministry of Social Affairs still running the distribution of social assistance during COVID-19 pandemic. This was also done by the Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto on Saturday (6/6) with his staf

Edi Suharto visted the location of basic food assistance packages at Curug Warehouse, Tangerang, accompanied by Secretary of Directorate General of Social Empowerment, Director of Heroism, Pioneer, Solidarity, and Social Restoration, Director of Social Funds Management and Head of OHH of Directorate General of Social Empowerment.

Curug warehouse capacity can accommodate around 50,000 social assistance packages and employ 40 workers, for 7 working hours / day starting at 08.00 WIB until 16.00 WIB. The existence of this job can also help the economy of the residents who were also affected by COVID-19.

A resident named Devi (who was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic) was very grateful to be able to work to assist in the packaging process of basic food assistance at Curug warehouse.

"I am very grateful to do this job of packaging process in the Curug warehouse. It is very helpful for our family's economy," Devi explained.

Devi added that this job becomes an additional income for her family because her husband who works as an online motorcycle taxi driver has an uncertain income even tends to be decreases lately.

After visited Curug Warehouse, Director General of Social Empowerment went to Pondok Aren Kelurahan. At that location, as many as 1,600 social assistance packages which comes from domestic grant funds were distributed to residents affected by COVID-19.

The assistance was symbolically given by Director General of Social Empowerment to Pondok Aren’s Lurah and to the residents of Pondok Aren Kelurahan. Also present in the series of activities were the Technical Team of the Minister, Technical Staff of the Directorate of PSPKKM.

"We hope that this assistance will be useful and can be used to carry out daily life in this difficult time. And let's pray that the COVID-19 pandemic will quickly pass," said Edi Suharto.

He also added that the involvement of village officials, from RT to Lurah is very much needed. The village head can also help to find the residents who have not gotten any help yet.

Most of the receiver are the one who has impermanent job, so it is difficult to meet their basic daily needs. This assistance was given once for people affected by COVID-19 who had never received assistance, both from the central and regional governments. This Social assistance as a form that Ministry of Social Affairs pays an attention to the community.

 "Alhamdulillah, we can get this assistance from Ministry of Social Affairs. There is rice, sardines, instant noodles, cooking oil. I am very thankful to the Minister of Social Affairs," said Hamriyani, one of the beneficiary residents.

Hamriyani said that her husband was outside the city and could not go home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the existence of food assistance is very helpful for her family, added Hamriyani.

On the same day, Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment Bambang Sugeng symbolically distributed similar social assistance in Pondok Pucung Village to 1,500 families affected by COVID-19.