DKI Performs Data Collection On Children Whose Parents Died Due To COVID-19

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government is currently registering children who are orphans because their parents died from COVID-19 at this time.

The head of the DKI Jakarta Department of Empowerment, Child Protection and Population Control (PPAPP), Tuty Kusumawati said that this data collection was coordinated by the Assistant Secretary of the DKI Jakarta Secretariat for People's Welfare, Suharti.

"At this time, efforts are being made to collect and process data from various sources to determine the number of children who lost their parents during the pandemic", said Tuti when contacted, Thursday, August 12.

Tuti said that after the children who had lost their parents due to the pandemic were recorded, the DKI Provincial Government would map out their individual needs. Then, DKI fulfills their needs.

"Currently, identification of the child is being carried out, mapping of their needs, mapping of existing programs, and steps to fulfill other needs if they cannot be met from existing programs", said Tuti.

Meanwhile, nationally, the Ministry of Social Affairs recorded 11.045 children who were orphaned because their parents died from COVID-19. This data is based on 20 July 2021.

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini admitted that his party is also collecting data on children by name by address whose parents died when they tested positive for COVID-19.

From this data, the Ministry of Social Affairs seeks to facilitate children to receive care, such as reunification or returning children with their extended families, as well as facilitating alternative care such as foster parents or care in orphanages.

Another support provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs is helping large families of children to overcome difficulties in raising children.

"In the future, we plan to carry out activities to handle the impact of COVID-19 on children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19. Of course, this activity will involve the cooperation of related institutions/agencies such as NGOs and the government sector who are responsible for dealing with this”, said Risma.