1,743,343 Volunteers in 61,640 Villages to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

Info graphic of volunteers of village squad to prevent spread of COVID-19. (Photo by: Ministry of Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration)

There are currently 1,743,343 volunteers of village squad to prevent spread of COVID-19 in 61,640 villages, according to Minister of Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar.

The figure shows that villages have been taking necessary preventive measures against COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to the People under Monitoring (ODP).

“Based on the ratio, one volunteer is responsible for 68 villagers. Once the number of volunteers increases, the ratio will be smaller,” the Minister said.

The Minister went on to say that so far Rp2.59 trillion of Village Funds has been used to handle the pandemic. The budget is relatively small since it covers 74,953 villages.

“The spread of COVID-19 in villages has been handled efficiently and effectively because of the small scale. The mapping and zonation are not complex, thus surveillance can be carried out massively. It will focus on the person as an individual, not the region,” he said.

Abdul added that the focus in the mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic in villages by strengthening physical distancing, immunity, and promoting the “new normal” scenario can bring significant impacts to the country to win the fight against the virus.

Also on that occasion, the Minister asserted that capacity of isolation facility for the ODP in 19,590 villages increases to 78,360 beds.

For the record, there are 179,682 ODP in villages. The number is higher than that in the cities, which is only 45,300 people. On the other hand, the number of Patients under Surveillance (PDP), and patients tested positive for the virus in villages is relatively small compared to that in the cities.

“There are only 629 patients tested positive for the virus in all villages,” he firmly said.

The Minister expressed belief that by implementing the new normal such as frequently washing hands, avoiding crowd, wearing face mask, and keeping safe distance in the villages, Indonesia will be able to flatten the curve. (Ministry of Village, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana