Asylum Seekers on the Rise; Social Agency Extends Assistance
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23 July 2019 09:29 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Social Protection of Jakarta Social Agency, Tarmijo Damanik, said that the Jakarta city administration would maintain to assist asylum seekers in the form of place and logistics aid because of humanity reason.
Per Monday, July 22, the number of asylum seekers increased to 1,359 people hailed from nine countries. Meanwhile, the immigration data as of Friday, July 19 recorded 1,132 people from ten countries.
“We will continue to distribute aid until we are no longer able to do that,” said Damanik in the refugee site, Monday, July 22.
Damanik stressed that asylum seekers are the responsibility of the UNHCR, but, considering their condition and the UNHCR that is still seeking solutions, the administration decided to extend the assistance until further notice or until the budget runs out.
Previously, Jakarta administration planned to assist asylum seekers for a week, yet it was extended to ten days after they were relocated from Kebon Sirih to Kalideres on Thursday, July 11.
Based on Tempo's observation, asylum seekers are still dwelling in the empty building in Daan Mogot Baru complex, Kalideres, West Jakarta. They received logistic aids, such as food, water, clean water supply, and psychosocial support for children by Social Agency. Damanik mentioned the assistance was earmarked from disaster funds.
MUH HALWI
