HSBC Indonesia's Social Assistance to Help Families during Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the local economy. One of them is the reduced income of residents due to losing their jobs. Indirectly this also has an impact on the welfare of children. Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) through the second wave of the COVID-19 response, which began in mid-2021, focused on finding a solution to this problem. Therefore, with full support from PT Bank HSBC Indonesia, WVI distributed social assistance for communities affected by the pandemic in Penjaringan district, North Jakarta, and Jatinegara district, East Jakarta.
This assistance is carried out in stages starting from August 2021 to January 2022. From this program, 585 families received assistance including 2,108 children in Jakarta. This compensation is given to families whose members are affected by COVID-19, are unable to work, and have lost their income. One of the beneficiaries from this social program is Selvianora, a housewife. Just like other beneficiaries, she receives the assistance from Post Office Indonesia.
“Alhamdulillah, with the help from HSBC Indonesia and WVI, our household needs are sufficient. I can buy basic necessities such as eggs and milk. I can also pay for electricity. The pandemic has reduced our income, making it difficult to meet our needs. This assistance really helped me a lot,” she said.
In line with Selvianora, her daughter named Alya is also happy. Alya, who is only nine years old, said, “I am very happy because I can buy a uniform and school equipment."
The social assistance program organized by PT Bank HSBC Indonesia and WVI related to the second wave of COVID-19 emergency response has been completed in February 2022, in line with the recovery pandemic conditions in Indonesia. With the assistance, the community can be more flexible to purchase their household needs. May there be many people feel the same benefit like Selvianora and Alya.
Written by Rena Tanjung, Communications Officer, Wahana Visi Indonesia and Hermawati Triwibowo, Livelihood Technical Project Coordinator, Wahana Visi Indonesia Urban Jakarta.
Translated by: Aqueta Alexandra Kroons, Intern Wahana Visi Indonesia.
