Tzu Chi and Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI Distribute Emergency PPKM Aid for 7 Million Families

Journalist : Arimami Suryo A., Photographer : Arimami Suryo A.

The Indonesian Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation together with Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI held a Kickoff event for the Delivery of Emergency PPKM Rice Donations for Entrepreneurs Caring for the Homeland at Tzu Chi Center, PIK, North Jakarta.

The Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia has now entered the highest cycle in its spread in the community. This condition again encourages Tzu Chi Indonesia's commitment with entrepreneurs under the auspices of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) or the so-called Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI in paying attention to affected communities - in line with the policy of the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

This commitment is realized by raising donations for the procurement of 35,000 tons of rice for 7 million families whose distribution began on Friday, 23 July 2021 at Tzu Chi Center, PIK, North Jakarta. In addition to the rice aid, the donation was also used to procure oxygen concentrators, distribution of medicines which are currently quite difficult for Covid-19 patients to access, as well as support for joint vaccination centers.

Speeches from the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid, General Secretary of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation of Indonesia, Hong Tjhin, Chairman of Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI, Gandhi Sulistiyanto, and Head of the Secretariat of the President of Indonesia, Heru Budi Hartono during the Kickoff event for the Delivery of Emergency PPKM Rice Donation for Entrepreneurs Care for the NKRI.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid, appreciated this joint action that has been taking place continuously. "Where solidarity and concern for others are maintained even though the business sector is also trying to survive from the effects of the pandemic," explained Arsjad Rasjid.

Until now, the companies that have joined in the donation are Sinar Mas, Agung Sedayu Group, Astra International, Djarum Foundation, PT. Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, PT. Barito Pacific Tbk, PT. Intisource Bajasakti, First Resources Ltd., Putra Sampoerna Foundation, Sampoerna Agro, Panin Group, Triputra Group, KPN Corp, Gan Konsulindo, PT. Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk., PT. Herbal and Pharmaceutical Industry Sido Muncul Tbk., PT. Samudera Marine Indonesia, Permata Hijau Group, and PT. Japfa Comfeed Indonesia TBK.

The Kickoff for the Delivery of Emergency PPKM Rice Donation for Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI was also attended by several representatives of entrepreneurs by implementing health protocols related to Covid-19 and live online for invitees who could not attend.

“Holding on the values â€‹â€‹of gratitude, respect and appreciation for the lives of volunteers, Tzu Chi in various regions has participated in the distribution of these various aids directly, prioritized, as needed, respectfully and quickly with the support of the TNI and Polri. The synergy in the distribution of rice aid and other needs during this Emergency PPKM period will receive support from the Presidential Secretariat and the Indonesian National Armed Forces along with the Indonesian National Police in various regions," said Sugianto Kusuma, Deputy Chairperson of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Indonesia.

On the same occasion, the Head of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono also welcomed what Tzu Chi had done together with Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI in helping people affected by the spread of Covid-19. “Today is the procession of handing over rice aid from Tzu Chi and Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI. Of course, we from the Presidential Secretariat once again thank the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation of Indonesia, to the Entrepreneurs who Care for the NKRI because through these donations, of course, it is very beneficial for people who are affected from the health side as well as from the economic side due to Covid-19, "explained Heru Budi Hartono.

Symbolically, the Chairman of the Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI, Gandhi Sulistiyanto, handed over the rice donation to the Head of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono.

The Chairman of the Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI, Gandhi Sulistiyanto in the Kickoff event for the Emergency PPKM Rice Donation from the Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI also explained that what these entrepreneurs were doing was a form of concern for the Indonesian people in the midst of a pandemic. “We see that the country is currently in mourning, the country is undergoing extraordinary trials. We as entrepreneurs feel this is a calling. This is purely our and Tzu Chi's initiative to help the government in lightening the burden on the Indonesian people due to the spread of Covid-19," said Gandhi Sulistiyanto in his remarks.

In addition to representatives from businessmen, this activity was also attended by the Mayor of North Jakarta, Ali Maulana Hakim and his staff who symbolically also accepted the donation of rice from Tzu Chi Indonesia and Entrepreneurs Caring for the Republic of Indonesia. Not only from within the country, a form of concern also comes from the International Tzu Chi network, in this case the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation of Taiwan also supports the procurement of 1,000 tons of rice which will be used simultaneously in supporting the distribution of Emergency PPKM assistance to the community.

The Form of Solidarity of Various Parties

North Jakarta Mayor, Ali Maulana Hakim also symbolically accepted rice donations that were distributed to communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in his area.

Previously, the initiative carried out by Tzu Chi Indonesia with Entrepreneurs Caring for the NKRI, which began in March 2020, managed to raise more than Rp 660 billion in funds. The collected funds are then used to procure food for the community, along with health equipment such as ventilators, personal protective equipment, rapid test equipment, masks for health workers, and medical facilities in coordination with the Covid-19 Handling Acceleration Task Force. This assistance has also been spread to 358 institutions and 1,080 hospitals and health centers in Greater Jakarta, and 26 other provinces in Indonesia.

In addition, during the Chinese New Year celebration, Tzu Chi Indonesia and Entrepreneurs Care for the NKRI have also distributed 7,381,790 kg of rice and 13,739. 840 pieces of medical masks to 738,179 families affected (economically) by the Covid-19 outbreak spread across 6 provinces on the island of Java.

Participants in the Emergency PPKM Rice Delivery Kickoff Donation Entrepreneurs Care for the NKRI release one of the trucks carrying rice aid to be distributed to the community.

Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Franky Oesman Widjaja, said that the current pandemic condition requires unity of heart and mutual cooperation from all parties. “In line with what Master Cheng Yen said that, problems in the world cannot be solved by one person alone. It takes a helping hand and the strength of a lot of people to get it done. We invite all elements of the nation to unite to help our brothers and sisters and pray for the world to be free from disasters,” said Franky Oesman Widjaja.

Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)