WEST BANDUNG (9th June 2020) - The distribution of social assistance in the form of basic food packages today is again carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through the Balai Literasi Braille Indonesia (BLBI) "Abiyoso". Located in Padalarang District and Cipongkor District , 75 packages were distributed to people with visual sensory disabilities affected by COVID-19.

The Head of BLBI "Abiyoso", Isep Sepriyan and his staff were welcomed by the local government, officials in the West Bandung Regency Social Service, companions and people with disabilities who received assistance.

Officials who attended the distribution activities in Cipongkor District were the Head of Sub-Division of Civil Service, Cipongkor District, Wawan, and West Bandung Regency Disability Companion, Ruslan Efendi.

Meanwhile, in the Padalarang District Area, it was attended by the Head of the Padalarang Subdistrict, Dudi Supriyadi and the Head of Social Rehabilitation of the West Bandung Regency Social Service, Tedi Sulaksana.

Dudi, in his speech expressed his gratitude for the distribution of this assistance. "I am honored for the arrival of the BLBI "Abiyoso" team to distribute social assistance to residents here. We feel greatly helped by the assistance provided by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through BLBI "Abiyoso" in the midst of COVID-19 like this," he said.

Meanwhile, Isep, in his speech, emphasized paying attention to health protocols to all attendees. "Hopefully this assistance will be useful for ladies and gentlemen. Don't forget to keep your distance, wear a mask, wash your hands with soap, then use a hand sanitizer too because COVID-19 has not ended and we must pay attention to health protocols," he said.

In the process of distributing social assistance, BLBI “Abiyoso” coordinates with local governments (sub-districts, districts, Social Services), managers of foundations or communities receiving social assistance as well as assistants for people with disabilities.

A number of communities with disabilities who received this assistance include the Indonesian Muslim Blind Association (ITMI), West Java, Cimahi City, Indonesian Blind Association (PERTUNI) Regional Representative Board of Bandung City, Titian Bangsa Foundation Cimahi City, Communication Forum for Families of Children with Disabilities (FKKADK), Cibeunying districts Kaler Bandung City, Bandung Blind Association  (ITB), and Kumala Cileunyi Foundation in Bandung Regency.

Not only focusing on people with visual sensory disabilities, the distribution of social assistance in the form of basic foodstuffs is also distributed to persons with other disabilities, such as physical and intellectual disabilities. The residents around the BLBI “Abiyoso” did not escape the distribution of social assistance.

With the distribution of 75 basic food packages today, the initial phase of social assistance distribution activities for people with disabilities affected by COVID-19 by BLBI “Abiyoso” will be completed. The total number of packages that have been given is 745 packages with a value per package of Rp. 300.000 which are distributed to a number of areas in West Java Province in stages.

Prior to the distribution of social assistance today, the initial stage of distribution activities had been held since May 22. In the Cimahi City area, 232 basic food packages were distributed, Bandung City had 53 food packages and Bandung Regency 23 basic food packages. Furthermore, it is the turn for people with disabilities in the West Bandung Regency area to receive assistance with a total of 196 basic food packages to date. Other locations are the Regency and City of Tasikmalaya with a total of 104 food packages. Meanwhile, in Garut Regency, persons with disabilities received a total of 68 basic food packages.

Furthermore, it was the turn for the Ciamis Regency area to be visited by BLBI "Abiyoso" by distributing 60 food packages targeting recipients with visual disabilities. Then BLBI "Abiyoso" also distributed social assistance to the City of Banjar, totaling 9 basic food packages . Thus, a total of 745 food packages distributed at this stage have been completed.