UN Volunteers provide aid in Cipinang Besar Utara area<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) marked
\nInternational Volunteers Day here over the weekend by giving away
\n200 packages of staple foods to needy people and Rp 3 million
\n(US$400) in loans to small-scale entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
Project coordinator Thelma Orbase said the packages and loans
\nwere given to residents of the densely populated Cipinang Besar
\nUtara subdistrict in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the UNV -- the volunteer arm of the world body --
\nhanded out the food packages containing of 3.5 kilograms of rice,
\na liter of cooking oil and three packs of instant noodles to the
\npoor families of Cipinang Besar Utara in a modest ceremony at the
\nsite.<\/p>\n
Used clothing and toys were also distributed.<\/p>\n
The next day, the body distributed Rp 100,000 loans to 30
\nlocal residents, who will use the money to start informal
\nbusinesses, such as selling goods or food on sidewalks.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, it is just a little amount that we can provide, but
\nwe really hope that it will help them get through the difficult
\ntimes,\" Orbase said.<\/p>\n
According to Emi Komariah, a local informal leader overseeing
\nthe loans, the credit project is a continuation of the system
\napplied in the same community in 1993.<\/p>\n
She said recipients were not required to pay interest but had
\nto repay the loans in installments of Rp 3,000 per day over 40
\ndays.<\/p>\n
\"We have a commitment that the remaining money, Rp 20,000,
\nwill be allocated for the group's members' savings -- which are
\nalso designed as a back-up for members who fail to return the
\nloans on schedule -- and administration expenditures,\" Emi said.<\/p>\n
\"We'll also allocate the remaining funds as financial back-up
\nshould the government remove us from this site one day,\" she
\nadded.<\/p>\n
According to her, rumors have been circulating in the
\nneighborhood that the government would soon evict the residents.<\/p>\n
The Cipinang Besar Utara subdistrict is inhabited by 626
\nfamilies comprising 3,440 people.<\/p>\n
According to the subdistrict's secretary Wahyono, \"Some 400
\nfamilies are living under poverty line.\"<\/p>\n
The UNV loans, Wahyono said, were highly appreciated by the
\nlocal people as it was the most suitable way for them to improve
\ntheir lot, particularly at this time of crisis.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not saying that we would reject any kind of donation, but
\nmostly if it is in the form of foodstuffs, for instance, the
\nassistance would not be as useful because it would last only a
\nshort time.<\/p>\n
\"But these (UNV) funds really help the locals to get on with
\ntheir lives,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Wahyono said such help also played a strong role in stopping
\npeople from becoming involved in street crimes, such as looting
\nand vandalism, which have escalated in the past few weeks in the
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
In 1985, Dec. 5 was declared by the United Nations as a day to
\ncelebrate the achievements of volunteers around the world.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, this year's commemoration had a theme of
\n\"Solidarity in action, unity in purpose\". (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/un-volunteers-provide-aid-in-cipinang-besar-utara-area-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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