President Jokowi Hands Over Food Aid to Communities in North Kolaka

President Jokowi hands over food aid at the Kirambu Square Tennis Court, North Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Tuesday (05/14). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media and Information (BPMI) of Presidential Secretariat/Vico)

In his remarks at the food aid handover event at the Kirambu Square Tennis Court, North Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Tuesday (05/14), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized the importance of food support from the Government to the communities amidst rising prices of global food.

The President also confirmed that 10 kilograms of rice assistance has been distributed regularly and will be provided continuously until June, with the hope that it can continue until December.

“For the time being, the 10 kilos of rice assistance will be distributed until June. But let’s pray together that there will be an excess in our state budget so that the assistance can be continued until December,” said the President.

President Jokowi also explained that the increase in prices of rice and other food at the global level is the impact of various external factors including climate conditions such as El Nino and geopolitical conflicts that affect food supply chain distribution channels.

“Those factors happen in all countries where the price increase exceeds ours. Those happen because of the long drought, the El Nino, and also because of the war in Palestine and the war in Ukraine which impede transportation,” explained the President.

Furthermore, the President said that the distribution of rice assistance serves as a concrete step to ease the burden on the communities. “This is something we must be grateful for because all countries are now experiencing difficulties due to rising food prices,” he added.

This aid handover event is part of the Government’s efforts to maintain the communities’ socio-economic stability amidst global economic and geopolitical challenges.

Also joining the President at the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Commander of Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi, Acting Governor of Southeast Sulawesi Andap Budhi Revianto, and Acting North Kolaka Regent Sukanto Toding. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (TM/LW)