The Ministry of Social Affairs directly visited and provided assistance to the people of the Mapia Islands, Supiori Regency, Papua. The assistance provided to one of Indonesia’s outer islands ranged from clean water to public health facilities.
Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini said that assistance has been directly provided to the people of the Mapia Islands. However, there are several shortcomings that were not predicted by the Ministry, one of which relates to public health.
“There are several problems that are our homework, such as the public health centre whose condition is badly damaged and the school which is close to collapse,” Risma told Liputan6.com in the Mapia Islands, Tuesday 12/9/2023).
In addition to social problems, the people of Mapia Islands face other problems that intersect with problems in other Ministries. the Ministry of Social Affairs plans to coordinate with other ministries related to the problems of the people of the Mapia Islands.
“Later, we will try evaluate so there can be improvements made,” said Minister Risma.
The Ministry of Social Affairs provided 82 units of its Solar Home System (SHS) with a 100-watt capacity, 10 units of Solar Public Street Lighting (PJUTS). In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs also provided Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), as well as 7,000 egg-laying hens.
The provision of SWRO is complemented by the construction of engine houses and solar cells. SWRO is a system that is able to convert seawater into consumable water. SWRO can be a solution to the difficulty of obtaining clean water for the community.
Previously, people relied on rainwater to meet their needs for clean water and infiltration wells whose water had an unpleasant colour and odour.
Ministry of Social Affairs Assistance Won’t Stop
Risma promised that the assistance provided would not stop after the handover of aid. Later, the Ministry of Social Affairs will deploy a team to monitor and provide guidance to the Mapia community. Related to the education of students in the Papua Islands, she will coordinate with the relevant Ministries.
“Yes, I will try to convey it (to the education ministry),” said Risma.
Meanwhile, a member of the Mapia community, Widiana Listriarini welcomed the provision of SHS assistance for lighting in her home. According to her, before the assistance provided, at night they only used lamps for night lighting.
“Children study at night using lamps, outside the house they use lighting from the moon,” said Widiana.
According to Widiana, the SHS provided made it very easy for her family to move at night, because PLN’s solar power plants had been damaged for a long time. In addition, the use of SHS is easier so it does not complicate things when using it for lighting.
“This is easier to use so that at night we don’t need to go dark and use lamps,” concluded Widiana.
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