BANDUNG (June 22nd 2020) - In the midst of the transition from the PSBB period to the New Normal era, the Ministry of Social Affairs continues its efforts to distribute social assistance. Basic food social assistance is provided to people affected by COVID-19 and tries to reach all clusters.

The Director General of Social Empowerment, Edi Suharto, distributed 3,032 packages of basic food items from the Ministry of Social Affairs to Bandung city. Assistance is provided for residents who are daily traders and elderly who need it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended with a large enough impact on all levels of society. Some have been sent home or have been laid off from their employment, some have decreased their daily sales, and even the elderly have felt the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Seeing these conditions, the Director General of Social Empowerment continues to distribute social assistance in various regions and today in the city of Bandung.

The Social Assistance for the Ministry of Social Affairs HADIR was symbolically handed over by the Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto to the Head of the Bandung City Social Service, Tono Rusdiantono. A total of 1,025 basic food packages will be distributed through the Bandung City Social Service to elderly residents in need.

This time, the government not only concerned the residents who have never received social assistance, but also pay attention to the elderly affected by COVID-19. They are not only vulnerable economically, but also prone to health problems. So this assistance will definitely help fulfill their basic needs.

"We realize that COVID-19 provides a multiplayer effect, which has a very broad impact. Therefore, the social assistance of the Ministry of Social Affairs is here trying to target all community clusters,” explained by Edi Suharto.

On the same day, Edi Suharto also delivered 2,007 social assistance packages from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Head of Mekarjaya sub-district, Taty Rohayati, in Mekarjaya Village, Rancasari, Bandung.

One of the roles of the government during this pandemic is to help people in distress. Some of the workers who were dismissed and those who were laid off were really a tough challenge in fulfilling the daily family economy.

The government continues to try to always be present in the community and can ease the burden felt by residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This social assistance is expected to provide a bright spot for the family economy.

"Yes ... indeed, during COVID-19, the economy of the residents seemed to be completely dead. Lots of people have been affected, many of whose income has decreased due to COVID-19,” explained by Tuty.

Mrs. Lik, one of the affected residents in Mekarjaya sub-district, revealed how hard she has to struggle to support her family in these difficult times. Every day he sells coffee and snacks. She felt very happy when she got a helping hand from the government.

"During this COVID-19, income has decreased tremendously. Many people are afraid to buy and drink coffee at my shop, so I used temporary savings to meet my daily needs during the COVID-19 period," said Mrs. Lik.

The Director General of Social Empowerment also took the time to greet residents as well as directly provide social assistance to residents around Mekarjaya Village.

Also attending the event were the Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, the Director of Heroism, Pioneering, Solidarity and Social Restoration, the Head of the General Section of the Secretariat of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, the Head of the Bandung City Social and Poverty Alleviation Service, Head of Rancasari District, and Mekarjaya Sub-District.