Jokowi: BLT El Nino Covers 18.8 Million KPM, Social Assistance For Basic Foods Until March 2024

President Joko Widodo while monitoring the distribution of social assistance to beneficiary families in Pekalongan City, Central Java, Wednesday (13/12/2023). (ANTARA/Kutnadi)

PEKALONGAN - President Joko Widodo said that the Government responded to provide assistance to the impact of the long dry season on 18.8 million beneficiary families, including residents of Pekalongan City, Central Java.

"This assistance is motivated by the existence of super El Nino and should not reduce people's purchasing power. Therefore, the government issued BLT (direct cash assistance)," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 13.

According to him, this assistance was given to community groups who were recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH).

"This is the first BLT distribution that is distributed throughout Indonesia and in Pekalongan City first," he said.

The President said El-Nino's direct cash assistance was given to beneficiary families during November to December 2023, amounting to IDR 200 thousand per month.

"So, each beneficiary's family will receive assistance of Rp. 400 thousand," he said.

President Jokowi also ensured that the Government would distribute 10 kilograms of rice social assistance (bansos) for three months starting from September to November plus December 2023 period.

This step, he said, is expected to help the people to meet basic needs that require food assistance at the end of 2023.

"The basic food assistance program (extended) until March 2024. Later, basic food assistance will be continued in January, February and March 2024. Please use the assistance to meet family nutrition and hopefully it can ease the burden on the community," he said.

President Joko Widodo, who is familiarly called Jokowi, directly monitors the distribution of El-Nino 2023 direct cash assistance (BLT) for the November-December 2023 period, which was distributed to hundreds of beneficiary families (KPM) in Pekalongan City, which took place at the Pekalongan City Post Office, Wednesday.

After monitoring the distribution of BLT at the post office, President Jokowi continued his working visit to Bulog Bondansari Warehouse, Pekalongan Regency with the same activity.