Distribution Of Social Assistance For 1.2 Million Families Affected By COVID-19 Begins

Ojol was involved in distributing aid packages (Source: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that social assistance to 1.2 million heads of families affected by COVID-19 in Jakarta has started to be distributed. Later, after DKI Jakarta, this assistance will be distributed to Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi as well as other cities.

"This morning, a massive 1.2 (million) began. Starting in DKI Jakarta first, then Bodetabek and other areas," said Jokowi when opening a limited meeting regarding the report from the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 which was broadcast on a YouTube account. Secretariat of the President, Monday, April 20.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta asked for social assistance for the underprivileged and affected by COVID-19 to really be on target and under control. "There is a field check, so that the goods can be received by the recipient properly and once again on target," he said.

Before the meeting with the COVID-19 Handling Acceleration Group was held, the central government had distributed basic foodstuffs to people affected by the spread of the virus. Symbolically, this division was conveyed by the Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Juliari P Batubara.

Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara (Source: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

Social Minister Juliari said that there are around 1.2 million families in DKI Jakarta who will receive this social assistance. As for the Bodetabek area, there are around 600 families.

"Today we are distributing food packages for the DKI Jakarta area. Of course, what we are doing this morning is to ensure that the presence of the state in handling COVID-19, especially for affected residents in the Jakarta area," he said while then explaining social assistance would be provided following. in parts of Bogor Regency, Depok City, Tangerang City, South Tangerang City, and Bekasi City.

PT Pos Indonesia officers (Source: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

To distribute the aid, the government is collaborating with PT Pos Indonesia and the distribution will be carried out for the next three months. Previously reported, President Joko Widodo ordered that social assistance or safety nets for people affected by COVID-19 could be immediately executed by the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Finance considering the current situation is very urgent.

"I ask the Minister of Social Affairs, the Minister of Finance this week everything can work. This is very, very urgent," said Jokowi while chairing a limited meeting broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account, Monday, April 13.

According to the former governor of DKI Jakarta, this assistance program must be prepared quickly considering that the community is already waiting for this assistance. This must be done so that people do not get disappointed.

"I went downstairs, I saw that the community had been waiting for this need. Do not look down on it later to see if we just say that the goods do not reach the community, to the people," he said.

As for the social assistance awaited by the community, said Jokowi in the form of pre-employment cards for those who lost their jobs due to the massive layoffs (PHK) due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other assistance such as direct cash assistance (BLT), basic food cards, and distribution of groceries. others in the Greater Jakarta area.

"This is very, very urgent, both in terms of pre-service cards, both PKH, BLT, basic food cards, and the distribution of basic necessities for Jabodetabek. Everything must work this week," he said.