Gov’t to Provide Cash Aid for Villagers in Rural Areas

Infographic of Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) of the Village Fund Program (Photo by: Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration).

In a bid to deal with the impact of coronavirus pandemic, the Government has announced plan to provide Cash Transfer Assistance (BLT) taken from Village Funds for underprivileged citizens in rural areas, according to Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar.

“This assistance will be given in form of money not in form of food packages,” Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar said during virtual dissemination on BLT Village Funds for Maluku and Papua regions, in Jakarta, Thursday (16/4).

The Minister went on to say that  it is preferable to disburse the cash aid through bank transfer. However, if it is not possible, the funds can be disbursed in cash as long as the disbursement is managed appropriately.

On that occasion, the Minister also said that the BLT Village Funds will be given to poor people in rural areas who have not received the Government’s assistance programs, including the Family Hope Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance  Program (BPNT), and Pre-employment Card Program.

For the record, recipients will receive cash aid amounting to Rp600 thousand per month for three consecutive months so that the total of the aid for three months will be Rp1.8 million.

“The current situation of COVID-19 pandemic makes people suffer from loss of income,” the Minister said.

The Minister also called on village-owned enterprises (BUMdes) to provide basic needs for villagers. It is expected that BLT Village Funds recipients and local village communities still can meet their daily basic needs without leaving the village.

“BUMDes can prepare several staple-food, including eggs, sugar, and rice. After the cash aid is disbursed to the recipients, BUMDes can inform them to buy rice, cooking oil in BUMDes so that the funds will revolve in the village,” the Minister added. (Ministry of PDTT Public Relations / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana