The Minister Of Home Affairs Asks The Regional Government To Distribute Social Assistance Overcome The Impact Of El Nino

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian asked local governments to overcome food insecurity due to the El Nino phenomenon by distributing social assistance (bansos) to affected communities, as well as optimizing the use of Unexpected Expenditures (BTT).

"Pemda-pemda please also distribute social assistance, both in cash and non-cash form, both from the APBD and also from CSR, from private companies in their respective environments, garnering social solidarity," Tito said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 21.

This effort was made to be aware of the peak of the natural phenomenon of El Nino. Based on predictions from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the peak of El Nino is expected to occur from August to September 2023.

Tito revealed that a number of state institutions have intervened, one of which is the National Food Agency (Bapanas) in collaboration with the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) by holding low-cost market operations at 12 Cross-Border Posts (PLBN).

Not only that, Bapanas has issued an early warning to overcome food insecurity in certain areas due to the El Nino phenomenon. Currently, the government has also tried to increase rice reserves as an intervention step when there is a shortage of rice supply in an area.

These various efforts need to be supported by the regions, especially by encouraging the distribution of social assistance. Regions can optimize the use of funds from the agricultural sector, for example from trade, economy, and BTT.

"The right timing in using BTT is in August, September, October, at the peak of El Nino," he said.

The Minister of Home Affairs explained that in an effort to overcome food insecurity, Bapanas would also distribute funding assistance to areas in need. However, currently these efforts are hampered by the unfinished administrative process in a number of areas.

Therefore, the Minister of Home Affairs reminded the regions to immediately complete the administrative process. On the other hand, the Minister of Home Affairs also asked the regions to be able to move in being aware of the impact of El Nino.

Local governments are asked to strengthen water reserves in their respective regions and intervene according to the characteristics of the area. According to Tito, regions can carry out movements to help the lower class, both in cash and non-cash by using the APBD, CSR or the people who can afford it.

"To gather people who can afford to help the underprivileged, we must continue to do this, especially at the peak of El Nino from September to October," Tito concluded.