The pandemic has a strong impact on institutions since the current amount of donations is declining.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Social Affairs has suggested allocating 3.2 trillion rupees to help orphaned children, including those who have lost their parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will be offered by redirecting the ministry’s budget for physical development, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini noted during a meeting with Committee VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives here on Wednesday.

Rismaharini also noted that around 15 to 16,000 children have lost one or both parents to COVID-19. In addition, 4,043,622 orphans are cared for by social protection institutions or disadvantaged families.

The ministry plans to offer assistance to children who have lost their parents to COVID-19 for a period of four months, with Rp 300,000 per month for children not yet in school and Rp 200,000 per month for children already in school.

The aid is expected to cover 6,000 children who are not yet in school and 14,000 children already in school.

Meanwhile, children in the care of Child Protection Institutions (LKSA) will receive Rp 300,000 per month for those not yet in school and Rp 200,000 per month for those already in school.

The aid aims to cover four thousand children who are not yet in school and 41,000 children who are already in school.

“The pandemic is having a huge impact on institutions as the current amount of donations has decreased,” said Rismaharini.

In addition, the minister noted that the government will help 3,978,622 orphans raised by poor families. The aid offered will be worth Rp 200,000 per month for four months.

Currently, the ministry is awaiting data from local governments on orphans eligible for aid, the minister noted.

In addition, Rismaharini encouraged House Committee VIII to support the allocation and realization of the orphan aid budget.

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