Baznas Assists 1,500 Micro Business Operators Affected by Sumatran Disaster
The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) has officially launched the Kita Jaga Usaha (We Protect Business) Programme Phase I as an effort to restore the economy for micro business operators affected by the Sumatran disaster. The programme inauguration ceremony was held at the Office of the Mayor of Sibolga, North Sumatra.
In the first phase, Baznas is distributing funds totalling Rp1.5 billion allocated to 1,500 beneficiaries across 12 regencies and municipalities spread throughout Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces. Each beneficiary receives a grant of Rp1 million transferred directly to their individual bank accounts to ensure transparency and accuracy in aid distribution.
Imdadun Rahmat, Deputy II of Baznas RI for Distribution and Utilisation, stressed that this programme represents the presence of zakat, infak, and sedekah in maintaining the economic sustainability of small communities. The initiative has been specifically designed as an economic assistance instrument for micro and small-medium enterprise (UMKM) operators affected by disasters.
“The Kita Jaga Usaha programme has been designed specifically to provide economic assistance to UMKM operators whose businesses have been devastated by disasters so they can recover quickly. We want to ensure that the business capital provided can serve as a stimulus for the economic independence of our beneficiaries in a sustainable manner,” explained Imdadun during a statement on Friday (13 March).
He also noted that the success of this programme is the result of strong humanitarian collaboration between Baznas and its partners. A total of 51 partners, he stated, have contributed to supporting the economic recovery of disaster-affected communities.
“There are 51 partners contributing in this first phase. Their support is crucial in accelerating the economic recovery process in affected areas. We hope this synergy remains strong so that our target of reaching 5,000 beneficiaries across the entire Sumatran region with a total budget of Rp5 billion can be achieved soon,” he said.
According to Imdadun, beneficiaries in this programme are selected based on strict criteria: micro business operators with a daily turnover below Rp500,000 or monthly income below the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR). Priority is given to independent business owners who have clear business development plans but are constrained by lack of capital due to the impact of natural disasters.
In addition to providing capital assistance, Baznas RI works with regional zakat agencies to monitor and provide mentoring for the business development of beneficiaries. This step is taken to ensure that the assistance provided is not spent on consumptive needs but is genuinely reinvested as productive working capital.
“Through the launch of the Kita Jaga Usaha programme, Baznas hopes that poverty rates in post-disaster areas can be reduced through the strengthening of grassroots sectors. With capital preserved, micro business operators are expected not only to be able to maintain their businesses but also to upgrade their status to become zakat contributors in the future,” said Imdadun.