The Minister Of Social Affairs Developed The Concept Of Handling Orphans Victims Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

JAKARTA - Social Minister Tri Rismaharini said that her party are working on concepts and models for handling orphans who were victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The issue of orphans has been mandated in the 1945 Constitution that the poor and neglected children are looked after by the state. At the Ministry of Social Affairs, the handling of the child is under the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation", said Risma as quoted by Antara, Friday, August 13.

According to her, the handling of orphans must involve various related parties, because it is not easy to implement where there must be a legal basis and budget in practice in the field.

Until now, temporary data recorded that there are approximately four million orphans and does not include additional victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, the data will continue to be updated with data from the local government (Pemda).

"We have asked the local government for the real number of orphans, including from halls, foundations, and Islamic boarding schools", she said.

Meanwhile, the type of program, model, and budget cannot be submitted at this time because it must be studied and there is budget approval from the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

“Essentially, everything is still in the process, because the handling cannot be the same. For example for orphans but still babies, children aged elementary, junior high and high school. Of course, the mechanism and the amount of assistance will be announced later after a decision is made by the government", said Risma.