"The rice aid is the government's effort for facing the long dry season caused by El Nino last year,"Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, on Saturday distributed rice aid sourced from the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) to beneficiary families (KPM) in Medan Belawan sub-district, Medan city, North Sumatra.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has directed that rice aid be provided to maintain food stability and reduce food price inflation in the country, Effendy said here.
"The rice aid is the government's effort for facing the long dry season caused by El Nino last year," he added.
The distribution of 10 kilograms of rice aid per family is expected to help them maintain stability, he said.
"Hopefully, this assistance can be beneficial for the community," he added.
During his visit, Minister Effendy, accompanied by acting governor of North Sumatra, Hassanudin, and Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution, reviewed the services for the elderly at a local integrated health post (posyandu).
He also visited the construction site of the Reservoir Glass Fused Steel Tank.
Effendy asked local residents to protect the environment, saying the government can only help in building the steel tank. He said that the locals need to support its construction.
"Two blocks of flats will be built, as well as a clean water tank, and the decent home renovation will be carried out in Belawan Bahari (sub-district). After they are finished, please take care of their cleanliness," he added.
After disbursing rice aid, the minister also handed out packages to pregnant women and toddlers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please give your suggestions to us, so we can follow them up to make Belawan Bahari better," he said.
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Translator: Anggi P, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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