"These children have the future ahead of them. We want them to be able to return to lives as normal kids their age," the minister noted in her official statement received here on Wednesday.
The minister was on a visit to Pandeglang, Banten, on Tuesday, June 20, to witness the ministry, through the Bogor Galih Pakuan Center, offer psychosocial assistance to KS, aged 13, and NA, 14, who are victims of human trafficking.
Aid was also given to 13-year-old Muhammad Arifin, who suffered from thalassemia, a blood disorder caused by the lack of protein chains forming hemoglobin.
Psychosocial assistance is expected to improve children's mental health conditions, as they are the vulnerable ones, she noted.
"NA and KS will be brought to the Galih Pakuan Center for rehabilitation and given beneficial activities, whereas Arifin will have to constantly receive blood transfusion. We will assist with transportation for the accessibility for treatment at the hospital," Rismaharini revealed.
During the activity, the minister handed over aid in form of basic needs, nutrition, staple goods, and hygiene kit, totaling Rp15.2 million (US$1.015); Rp10 million (US$667) for meeting the needs of NA and KS; and Rp5 million (US$333) for NA's family business aid.
The minister also awarded three personnel of the Pandeglang Police Department and three personnel of the Pandeglang District Court for the measures they have taken to tackle the human trafficking case in the region.
"We commend the Pandeglang Police Department and District Court that have responded to this human trafficking case well. This is about the children, the impacts are huge, because it does not only involve children, as there must be related things," she explained.
Head of Pandeglang District Irna Nurulita commended the ministry's immediate measure in addressing the human trafficking case that involved children in her jurisdiction.
"Thank you Mrs Social Affairs Minister, who has come and paid attention to our people. God willing, this will be our (focus) to be followed up and monitored consistently," she remarked.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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