Social Minister Risma Shares Inspirational Stories For Surabaya Residents, 'Fire' The Spirit Of Sinabung Refugees Awakening From Disaster

RI Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini when motivating the victims of the eruption of Mount Sinabung (ANTARA DOK)

NORTH SUMATRA - Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini (Risma), ignited the enthusiasm of hundreds of victims of the eruption of Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra to build self-reliance and rise from the economic downturn caused by the disaster.

"The hand above is better than the hand below. Remember, God will not change the fate of his people if it is not those who want to change", said Risma when observing the victims of the Sinabung eruption in the Siosar relocation area, Siosar Village, Brand District, Karo Regency, Friday, November 19.

Risma started her visit by starting a question and answer session with 370 families of victims of the Mount Sinabung eruption. They are refugees who have been living since the disaster-hit their village in 2015.

Generally, the refugees, dominated by mothers and children, asked questions about social assistance issues from the government, such as direct cash assistance (BLT), basic food assistance, and the Family Hope Package (PKH).

Some refugees also complained about the condition of their husbands and wives who were now hit by strokes and other diseases. This situation prompted the former Mayor of Surabaya to provide input so that residents would want to emigrate from the economic downturn by starting various household businesses.

"My goal here is to increase people's income", she said.

Risma shared a story about the success of the Surabaya community's self-reliance program in starting a chicken and vegetable farming business. "In Surabaya, the house is narrow and in a small alley. We initially took vegetables from Malang, then I taught the residents how to grow vegetables", she said.

According to Risma, one house was invited to plant mustard greens, kale, eggplant, and raise chickens.

"It turns out that their harvest is too much for housing needs. Now hotels in Surabaya take vegetables from the villages", she said.

The turnover obtained by the villagers in Surabaya, said Risma, has reached up to IDR 4 billion per month. If anyone can weave, said Risma, the Ministry of Social Affairs will help procure a sewing machine to make Ulos cloth.

"We can help. We can use this room", she said.

Risma also recounted the life journey of a housewife in Surabaya who was initially trapped in debt of up to hundreds of millions of rupiah and made her close herself to her neighbors because of shame.

"But it turns out, from the books we provide in the residents' library, he started to learn to make cakes. Now his income reaches IDR 1.5 to IDR 2 billion per month", she said.

Against refugees who do not believe in the story, Risma also invites them to visit Surabaya to see firsthand the independence of the people there. "If you are confused about where to sell the product? That's my business", said Risma.

In Karo Regency, Risma provided compensation to the four heirs of the deceased on behalf of Agus Sumartono, Reza Damara, Rayhan, and Riyan Piranda. Each received the assistance of IDR 15 million. Then compensation for injured victims to one injured victim is IDR 5 million. The total value of assistance for Karo Regency is IDR 353,113,849.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed assistance in the form of necessities, children's food, kids ware, blankets, roll tents, mattresses, mattresses, and multipurpose tents. Thus the total aid amounted to IDR 513,081,567.