Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The distribution of social assistance in the form of rice for the poor, during the period of January-March 2018, has reached 97 percent of the nationwide distribution coverage.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Puan Maharani, explained during a press conference at the ministry`s office in Jakarta on Tuesday that the distribution of non-cash food assistance has also reached 86 percent in 44 cities, with 1.2 million beneficiary families.

"With such an achievement, we are considering a plan to expand non-cash food assistance to 24 additional districts and cities," she noted.

She stated that according to a survey, 90 percent of beneficiary families had expressed satisfaction with the social assistance from the government, such as non-cash food assistance, rice social assistance, and aid under the Family Hope Program.

She remarked that currently, every beneficiary family can only use non-cash food assistance to get eggs and rice.

She also revealed the government`s plan to distribute non-cash food assistance to 24 additional districts and cities.

The government is also planning to add two million beneficiary families, so that the total recipients of social assistance will reach 10 million beneficiary families in 2018.

However, she emphasized that the addition of social assistance will depend on the readiness of all parties, including the central government, channel banks, and local governments.

Reported by Aditya Ramadhan
(M052/INE/B003)
(T.M052/B/KR-BSR/B003)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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