Income Dropped During The Pandemic, Baduy Residents Are Happy To Receive Social Assistance

The atmosphere of the Baduy indigenous community settlements in the interior of Lebak Regency, Banten Province. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The government is distributing cash social assistance (Bansos) to residents affected by COVID-19 to the Baduy indigenous people, Lebak Regency, Banten Province. This assistance is expected to help them in driving the economy.

Juhedi (45), a Baduy resident in Kadu Ketug III Village, Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak Regency said that after receiving assistance, his sales turnover increased drastically. She opens a small shop in her house and earns Rp. 300 thousand per month.

"We ourselves have increased our sales turnover after the distribution of BST funds," said Juhedi, Thursday, January 21, as reported by Antara.

Santi (45), another Baduy resident, used government funding to buy basic necessities including rice. According to Santi, tourist visits to Baduy settlements have decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decline in tourist visits to Baduy settlements during the pandemic made residents unable to sell Baduy handicraft products such as woven cloth, scarves, machetes and koja bags.

Kanekes Village Head Jaro Saija said that all members of the Baduy community received cash social assistance (BST) from the government. The aid was distributed directly by representatives from the Baduy community.

"We did not distribute the BST funds at the village office, because there would be a crowd," he said.

According to the General Support Manager of the Rangkasbitung Post Office, Susan Ratna Dewi, said that the post office distributed IDR 43 billion in BST funds to 144,803 beneficiary families, including Baduy residents.