Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, went to Kendari city, Southeast Sulawesi, on Friday, and met with 27 children whose parents died due to COVID-19.
During the visit, which took place at the Kendari Mayor's Office, Muhadjir provided an assistance package containing school supplies to the children.
"The government guarantees (the welfare of) children whose parents have left them due to COVID, especially the cost of education, through the assistance of the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP)," Effendy said.
He requested the Kendari city government to list the orphans as recipients of the Smart Indonesia Card in their respective schools.
"Not only for elementary, middle, and high school students, including students who are about to enter college. I also ask that the orphans receive the PKH program through their guardians because PKH is based on the head of the family, but their parents are no longer here," he said.
He emphasized that the government must be present as a guide for orphaned children. It is not limited to just the needs of education, but also other basic needs.
He also urged the public to always adhere to health protocols every day in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.
"We must not be careless with the current conditions, we must remain vigilant by always following the health protocols," he said.
Meanwhile, Kendari Mayor H Sulkarnain Kadir said that his administration will try to register all children orphaned by COVID-19up to the junior high school level so they can become Smart Indonesia Card recipients. It was the municipal government's authority to propose the initiative, he said.
"We will also try for high school, including Smart Indonesia Card for students who will go to college. Thank God, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture is very enthusiastic, he is very supportive so that all orphans get Smart Indonesia Card until they go to college," he said. (