In 2024, the government is planning to hand out such assistance to a total of 22 million people.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government decided to prolong the implementation of its Food Assistance Program until June this year, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

Hartarto made the statement while delivering food aid in Batu Cermin Village, Komodo Sub-district, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday.

"Earlier, during a plenary meeting, Mr. President Joko Widodo demanded that the program be extended to June this year. Thus, ladies and gentlemen here will receive 10 kilograms of rice per month up until June," he told aid beneficiaries as quoted from a statement from the ministry received here.

In Batu Cermin Village, the minister participated in the distribution of food aid to as many as 100 beneficiaries. In 2024, the government is planning to hand out such assistance to a total of 22 million people, with 42,808 of them residing in East Nusa Tenggara Province.

According to Hartarto, the government would continue to take workable measures for ensuring sufficient stock of the Government's Rice Reserves to ensure success of the food aid distribution and Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) Program.

During his visit to the village, Hartarto also had an opportunity to engage in a direct conversation with the food aid recipients, some of whom are informal workers, who deemed the assistance as quite helpful and direly needed.

"Based on my dialogues with locals, I learn that they truly need this rice aid. Some of them are also awaiting the government's direct cash assistance approved by Mr. President," he noted.

Residents of Batu Cermin extended their gratitude to the government for the food assistance they received.

"We would like to thank the government for the assistance provided to the people, especially to us living in West Manggarai," a local stated.

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Translator: Bayu S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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