JAKARTA (June 18, 2020) - The Director General of Social Protection and Security at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Pepen Nazaruddin, acknowledged the existence of Tagana as a mainstay in dealing with disaster problems.

"Tagana will always be relied on, this shows that Tagana has an important role," said Pepen at a multi-sector working meeting in Bogor, Wednesday (17/6).

In the future, continued the Director General, Tagana's position will remain as a frontliner in terms of handling disasters, both natural and social, to show how important Tagana's role is.

This is inseparable from Tagana's participation in efforts to deal with the recent COVID-19 outbreak. "In the past three months, we have focused on dealing with social safety nets, including the extraordinary role of the Indonesian Tagana," he said.

Pepen highlighted Tagana's involvement, starting from Social Service, distributing basic necessities, spraying disinfectants, to distributing masks throughout the region by Tagana Indonesia personnel.

"We often receive reports from the Tagana group in every province that carries out these activities, and the Minister really appreciates what Tagana has done," said Pepen.


Welcoming New Normal Era

Multi-sector work meetings in the context of disaster preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic began with cross-country activities to increase endurance.

"This is a cross-country activity in the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic with a new normal framework, towards a new normal era," said Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA), M. Syafi'i Nasution.

Cross-country activities take place with up and down terrain around the Tagana Center area, Sentul, Bogor. Syafi'i said that increasing endurance is a special concern.

"We want to increase the body's immunity so that it becomes stronger so that we are not easily infected or have the potential to transmit the virus to others," he explained, revealing the background of the cross-country event.

So, Syafi'i continued, he and the team walked along the village, then the Social Service was carried out in order to increase the body's immunity. The steep terrain and scorching heat did not dampen their steps in the slightest way.

He admitted that the activities were carried out with due observance of the health protocols that apply in the community. "We comply with the health protocols, wear masks, wash hands, keep a distance," he said.

This idea was first initiated by the PSKBA Directorate by involving several related partners. "We invite multisectors, our partners in disaster management, such as DFAT/Australia, there is also Kopassus in Cijantung to increase the capacity of Tagana Indonesia in the future," explained Syafi'i.

Related partners who were seen in the activity included an NGO for Disaster Risk Management from Australia, Simon Field, Pabanda Komsos Ster Kopassus, Major Inf. Ferry Mulyawan, to the Vice President of Mandiri, Puri Ranti Minasti. The head of the Bogor Regency Social Service, Rustandi, was also present in the middle of the activity.

It's not enough to just walk through the village, cross-country is also accompanied by an agenda for distributing basic food assistance. A total of 1,093 food packages were handed over to Hambalang Village residents through the local Village Head.

As the duties and functions carried out by the Ministry of Social Affairs are to provide social protection to residents affected by disasters, in this case the COVID-19 pandemic, underprivileged communities with low incomes are entitled to social assistance.

"This amount is based on a proposal from the Village Head for the affected residents. Although they are not included in the Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS), but in accordance with the applicable rules set by the Ministry of Social Affairs, they are entitled to basic food assistance because they live in the capital's buffer zone," he concluded.