The total budget for the aid has reached Rp3.6 trillion. If this can run smoothly, (the aid) will be disbursed, starting from April 20Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Social Affairs Ministry has readied special social assistance for economically vulnerable groups impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Affairs Minister Juliari P. Batubara noted in a statement here on Wednesday that the first aid package had been prepared for vulnerable groups residing in Jakarta, which has imposed large-scale social distancing to contain the pandemic.
The ministry will dole out basic necessities worth Rp600 thousand per month for the groups. The aid package will be distributed on a weekly basis for three months.
"The total budget for the aid has reached Rp3.6 trillion. If this can run smoothly, (the aid) will be disbursed, starting from April 20," Batubara remarked.
Among the vulnerable groups covered in the aid program are poor families registered in the Integrated Data of Social Welfare (DTKS), beneficiaries of the Smart Jakarta Card (KJP), contract teachers, honorary teachers, residents of flats, and daily workers living in the capital city.
The aid is distributed in cooperation with state-run firms, regional-owned companies, and private companies.
Batubara explained that the aid is offered to support the supply of basic necessities for vulnerable groups, so they do not return to their hometowns.
The minister revealed that Jakarta had proposed disbursement of special assistance for 1,218,766 families.
Furthermore, the ministry has prepared a similar aid for 576,434 poor families, or 1,647,647 people, in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. Budget allocation for the aid is expected to reach Rp1.04 trillion.
"For these areas, we only refer to the ministry's DTKS data. This is the only credible data for now. We do not have time. We have to move fast," Batubara remarked.
Meanwhile, for areas outside Greater Jakarta, the government has prepared unconditional cash transfers (BLT) for families registered in the DTKS but did not receive regular social assistance from the Family Hope Program (PKH) and basic necessities aid program.
The BLT will cover 7,461,586 out of the 9,085,939 families registered in DTKS for non-social assistance.
"The BLT will be disbursed in cash worth Rp600 thousand for each family per month," he added. Related news: Number of coronavirus patients at Kemayoran hospital drops to 515
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Translator: Desi P, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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