
ACTNews, PALEMBANG – The central and regional
governments have issued various policies to break the COVID-19 spread, for
example, by restricting activities outside. These policies have brought severe
impact on the sustenance of daily workers such as street hawkers, motorcycle
drivers, and public transport drivers.
In the COVID-19 emergency, ACT and
Masyarakat Relawan Indonesia (MRI) South Sumatra held the Free Meal Operation,
Friday (4/3), to support the needs of the residents, especially daily workers,
whose livelihood has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mrs. Rojah, owner of a food stall, said
that she has lost many customers since the outbreak began. Her income dropped drastically
to the point of financial loss.
"Usually, we can get up to IDR
700,000. Now it's less. Yesterday, we spent IDR 700,000 for the capital but we
earned only IDR 300,000. It’s quite a huge loss," she said.
Many
peddlers and taxi drivers lost their customers because many people can’t go out
of their homes. The Free Meal Operation will hopefully be able to help peddlers
and other informal workers.
Aris from ACT South Sumatra Program
Department explained, Free Meal Operation is an effort from ACT to reduce the
socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the community, especially the lower middle
class. "Alhamdulillah, we continue to do various programs to support the
needs of underprivileged communities affected by the COVID-19. Through Free Meal
Operation, we hope that all Indonesian people, especially in South Sumatra, will
also be inspired more to help our brothers in need. This is a form of our sympathy
as human beings by sharing with each other, "he said. []