"The handover of hundreds of packages of social assistance to the senior citizens was carried out by Acting Regional Secretary of Biak, ZL Mailoa," head of the ministry's Maluku-Papua Regional Center VI, John Mampioper, remarked in Biak on Wednesday.
He then elaborated that the social aid comprised packages of staple goods for 100 people, nutritional and personal hygiene items for 100 people, sleeping equipment for 94 people, entrepreneurial aid for 27 people, and canes and wheelchairs for 57 people.
"The provision of different types of aid is based on the needs of each elderly and the results of a field survey," he revealed.
Mampioper then expressed hope that the packages of social assistance would be genuinely helpful for the senior citizens.
Regional Secretary Mailoa, for his part, extended the Biak Numfor government's gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs for fulfilling the needs of local elderly residents.
"The Biak Numfor district government highly appreciates the deeds of the Social Affairs Ministry that is represented by the head of its Maluku-Papua Regional Center VI, John Mampioper," he remarked.
One of the aid recipients, Wilhelmina Kapitarauw, 77, also lauded the ministry for providing her with the items she needed.
"At this age, we, senior residents, had nothing. However, the ministry came to our aid with the social assistance," the resident of Korem Village, North Biak, stated.
To celebrate this year's National Day for the Elderly in Biak Numfor, the Ministry of Social Affairs is offering free medical treatments, including cataract surgeries, for senior citizens in addition to providing them with social aid items.
In Papua Province, the commemoration of the national day that falls every May 29 takes place at two locations, namely the districts of Biak Numfor and Jayapura.
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Translator: Muhsidin, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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