Second Phase of Rice Aid to be Distributed Starting 17 August

The Indonesian government, through the National Food Agency (Bapanas), will distribute 997,200 tonnes of rice food aid in its second phase to 33,244,408 beneficiary families starting 17 August 2026.

Head of Bapanas, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that the rice aid is part of the government’s social security measures to help meet the food needs of families. “We have tasked Bulog to carry out the distribution of government food reserves for rice aid to 33,240,408 recipients, providing 10 kilograms per recipient for a three-month allocation, covering July to September 2026, which can be distributed in a single instalment,” Amran said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, 2 August 2026.

Bapanas Director of Distribution and Food Reserves, Rachmi Widiriani, explained that the second phase of distribution will commence simultaneously on 17 August 2026, coinciding with the 81st Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence. “The distribution of this food aid will take place in August alongside the 17 August celebrations across all regions. Following the mandate from the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and reinforced by the Head of Bapanas, the timing in August is highly appropriate,” Rachmi noted.

In addition to using Bulog, Bapanas is opening opportunities for the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) to serve as distribution points. This step is intended to optimise the function of existing cooperatives in various regions. “Existing Kopdes Merah Putih can serve as distribution points. If a village has a large cooperative with sufficient warehouse space located near the beneficiaries’ residences, it can be utilised as a distribution hub,” she added.

Rachmi confirmed that the list of beneficiaries remains based on the third version of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), which was updated on 10 July 2026. “The number of food aid recipients remains the same as the previous first phase, totalling 33,244,408 recipients. We are using the third version of the DTSEN, which was updated by BPS on 10 July,” she said. Bapanas has also requested that local governments coordinate immediately with Bulog in their respective regions to ensure a smooth distribution process.