Residents In Buleleng Bali Put Up Many White Flags, Food Assistance Comes

White flag at the residents' house/DOK Buleleng Social Community (BSC)

DENPASAR - The movement of citizens to help residents in Bali is increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of PPKM. The community of citizens is moved to help other residents.

As did the Buleleng Social Community (BSC). They distributed aid to residents who sent photos of the white flag that had flown in front of the house.

Community members will check the location and condition of the family while carrying food packages containing rice, instant noodles, cooking oil, eggs, soy sauce, sugar and crackers.

"Yes, it's our community program and we have been running for a week since the emergency PPKM," said the Head of BSC, Eka Tirtayana when contacted, Friday, July 23.

The BCS community, which was established in 2015, focuses on helping around 120 elderly people, scholarships for 52 students and house renovations for the poor.

In 2020, they expanded their wings of assistance in the form of food packages to communities affected by COVID-19. Moreover, during Emergency PPKM/Level 4, more and more residents complained to them that they had difficulty buying food.

"We are moving from the beginning of 2015. Indeed, we have assistance in distributing basic necessities, house repairs, and scholarships for orphans and health assistance. We are intensively doing it and doing it routinely every day," he added.

Eka Tirtayana said that the idea of helping residents by putting up the white flag was just a spontaneous thing. Because, according to him, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents had economic difficulties.

"Friends, just be spontaneous. In the era of COVID-19 or Emergency PPKM, it is difficult for us to distinguish which ones really need help. However, on the one hand, Balinese people usually have a high sense of shame. But even though he is (difficult), he I don't want to reveal it, I usually borrow it from my neighbors and now the neighbors are having a hard time left and right," he said.

"That's a trick so that we have valid reference data that actually raises the flag, continues to take photos and send it to us. We help and come directly to be assisted," he said.

So far, 520 food packages have been distributed to residents who sent photos of the white flag. While the data of residents who asked for help there are about 900 families.

"As per yesterday's data, we have distributed around 520 packages. And to be honest, until now we have lacked food packages from incoming data and we have not been able to serve them," he explained.

The distribution of basic food packages is only enough by putting a white flag in his house. Residents only need to take photos and send them to BCS.

"Right now, on average, even if the house is good or not, yes, on average it will need it. Because many have been laid off. So, as long as our supplies last and our friends raise the white flag and send it to us, we will serve it," he said. .

For the time being, the aid package is only around the Buleleng Regency area. However, for other regions, it is still synergizing with the Dompet Berbagi Foundation.

"For the time being, we are still in Buleleng, in areas outside Buleleng we are still synergizing with the Dompet Berbagi Foundation for the distribution of basic necessities," he said.

For residents who want to help, his party also opens donations.

"The hope is that with difficult conditions like now, especially Bali, relying on the tourism sector which is currently dead. So, hopefully all friends who can still have more sustenance, can all move together to open their concerns to help each other. This is the responsibility of our task together, both government, society and all elements," said Eka Tirtayana.