President Affirms Rice Aid For Concrete Steps To Light The Burden Of Citizens

President Joko Widodo gave a speech at the food aid handover ceremony at the Tennis Square-Kirambu Square, North Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, Tuesday (14/5/2024). BETWEEN/HO-Vico-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the existence of rice aid is a concrete step to ease the burden on the community.

"This should be grateful, you know. In all countries now it is in trouble due to the increase in food prices," said President Jokowi in his remarks at the food aid handover ceremony at the Tennis Square-Kirambu Square, North Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 14.

The President emphasized the importance of food support from the government towards the community amid the increase in global food prices.

The President ensured that 10 kilograms of rice aid had been distributed periodically and would continue to be provided until June 2024, with the hope that it could be continued until December.

"For the time being, the 10 kilograms will be until June but we pray together that later the APBN will have advantages so that they can be continued until December," said Jokowi.

In addition, the President also explained that the increase in rice and other food prices at the global level was due to various external factors.

This includes climate conditions such as El Nino and geopolitical conflicts that affect the distribution of food supply chains.

"It happened in all countries whose increase exceeded us because of the long dry season of El Nino, also because transportation is now not easy because there is war in Palestine, there is also war in Ukraine," said the President.