President Jokowi Distributes Food, Cash Assistance in Pekalongan

President Jokowi

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (12/13) distributed direct cash assistance for the people affected by El Nino at Post Office of Pekalongan city, Central Java province.

“Due to prolonged dry season, the prices of staple foods have spiked, especially rice. You can cover the price difference with the cash assistance,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also emphasized that this assistance can be used for daily needs so the beneficiary families can meet their nutritional needs.

In addition, the President also distributed food assistance from the Government’s rice reserves to the same beneficiary families.

“Do you get 10 kg of rice each month? How about this month’s assistance? Does that mean you have received the assistances in September, October, November, and December, four times?” the Head of State asked.

“Yes,” the beneficiaries answered.

President Jokowi also stated the rice assistance would be continued in the first three months of next year.

“Assuming the APBN is sufficient, the Government will also provide assistance in April, May, and June,” he remarked. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat/UN) (GWH/LW)