VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo hands out the El Nino direct cash assistance to drought-affected people in Banyumas District, Central Java, on Wednesday (January 3, 2023). (ANTARA/HO-Presidential Secretariat) - 

Voinews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the government's El Nino direct cash assistance is specifically dedicated to people affected by the prolonged dry season-induced drought.

Jokowi made the statement during a dialogue with beneficiaries of the government rice reserves (CBP) food assistance at a warehouse of state-run logistics company Bulog in Banyumas District, Central Java, on Wednesday.

"Not everyone will receive this aid since this direct cash assistance is exclusive in nature," he remarked, as cited from the Presidential Secretariat's website in Jakarta.

The head of state affirmed that the government's goal in distributing the special aid is to help the people deal with hikes in prices due to the prolonged dry season caused by the global heat phenomenon El Nino.

On the occasion, he also reiterated that the government would continue to distribute the CBP assistance in the form of 10 kilograms of rice to each beneficiary up until March this year.

"Has everyone here received the aid for the January period? You will receive it again in February and March," he told the aid beneficiaries.

He then hinted at the possibility of the government further extending the CBP aid distribution period.

"I will initially calculate the capacity of our APBN (state budget). If possible, we will continue the aid distribution in April, May, and June," he pointed out.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi, among others, accompanied the president during his activity//ANT-VOI