"This is ready to eat, simply pour (boiling) water in the container, and then the food will be cooked. It will be edible afterwards," Minister Rismaharini told a local resident of Bengkulu City in Bengkulu Province, Wednesday.
According to the minister, foods packaged in the containers were complete sets of rice, vegetables, and side dishes. Each package contains a portion of staple food.
On the occasion, Rismaharini distributed six boxes of basic foods and some other important needs that are essential to the residents. She expressed hope that the basic foods' assistance would relieve the problems faced by the poor. Moreover, Bengkulu City is currently transitioning from rainy to dry season.
In fact, on Monday (May 8) evening, the city was hit by a rain storm that led to a seven-hour blackout that cut off communication networks. Strong wind during the storm also led to several trees falling and resulted in two casualties and one being injured.
Minister Rismaharini is conducting a two-day working visit to Bengkulu Province, from Tuesday (May 9) to Wednesday. On the first day, she embarked on a three-hour-long road trip to North Bengkulu District to meet with 35 students, who fell victims to rape at the hands of a teacher.
The minister expressed empathy to the victims and shared positive energy and motivation, so that they would soon recover and lead normal lives. Later, in the evening, she returned to Bengkulu City to meet with officials of the Social Affairs Ministry stationed in Bengkulu.
During the meeting, the minister urged officials to ensure that they provide the best-possible services to the public.
In the morning on the following day, before returning to Jakarta, Rismaharini took the initiative to make time out to visit more underprivileged residents and meet with the families of the storm-affected and rape victims.
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Translator: Boyke Ledy W, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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