We provide a role for youth so that they can contribute to the people and the nation who are in need of the spirit of mutual assistance in handling COVID-19 pandemic
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini has involved Karang Taruna, Indonesia's youth organization, in distributing masks and vitamins to poor citizens who are vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19.

Karang Taruna, as the social pillar of the Social Affairs Ministry, will distribute mask and vitamin packages in 514 districts and cities across Indonesia, the minister informed.

"Every district or city will receive 1,270 packages worth Rp50 million and each package contains seven masks as well as vitamin C, D, and Zinc," Rismaharini said in a statement released here on Friday.

The mask and vitamin packages will be delivered through state-owned postal company PT Pos Indonesia, she added.

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She deemed Karang Taruna involvement as important for stemming the spread of COVID-19 infections.

In addition, she expressed her gratitude to Jakarta's Karang Taruna for assisting in packing the masks and vitamins despite having to work late into the night.

She asked Karang Taruna not to distribute the masks and vitamins directly on street intersections, but disburse them by districts to avoid potential crowding.

To expedite the distribution of masks and vitamins, the Social Affairs Ministry will also send them through Karang Taruna's secretariat address, the minister informed. Alternatively, it would be done through Social Service networks in each region, she added.

"We provide a role for youth so that they can contribute to the people and the nation who are in need of the spirit of mutual assistance in handling COVID-19 pandemic," Rismaharini remarked.

The minister symbolically launched the effort by flagging off a PT Pos Indonesia vehicle carrying mask and vitamin packages to three provinces -- West Java, Banten, and Jakarta.

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Translator: Devi Ramadhan, Fadhli R
Editor: Suharto
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