JAKARTA – The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has supported the government’s efforts to stem the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in Indonesia.
Based on data from the government, the province of DKI Jakarta has become the epicenter of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in Indonesia. Its more than 10 million residents are being threatened, especially in many densely-populated areas which need anticipative actions to prevent them from becoming the new epicenters of the Coronavirus pandemic spread.
In cooperation with the ministry of environment and forestry (KLHK), GAPKI had given out assistances in the forms of 30,000 packets of soaps and 8,000 maskers to residents living in the densely-populated settlements and people of middle class to lower class in Jabodetabek (Greater Jakarta).
“We’re very concerned with the Covid-19 outbreak in Indonesia, and especially Jabodetabek. Although Jakarta is the epicenter, the pandemic is also potential to spread to its surrounding areas as there are many commuters from the suburbs of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi, who come to Jakarta to work every day,” GAPKI Chairman Joko Supriyono said at the headquarters of KLHK, Cawang, East Jakarta on Friday (27 March 2020).
Joko said that the donations given by GAPKI were collected from member companies of GAPKI, which have downstream industries, such as Wings Group, Wilmar and Musim Mas. Besides, Joko said that GAPKI head office had instructed all GAPKI branch offices across Indonesia to help the government in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
KLHK’s Pollution and Environmental Damage Control Director General RM Karliansyah expressed his appreciation to the donations given by GAPKI. He further said that the soaps are believed very effective in cleaning and killing the Coronavirus. It is in line with the principle of KLHK to practice clean living, which includes washing hands.
“Soap is very effective to clean hands,” he said.
In distributing the donations, the KLHK partnered with the Ciliwung community to deliver the donations to the residents. It was planned that the assistances would be delivered on Saturday (29 March 2020) in four areas, namely Ciganjur (South Jakarta), Pasar Rebo (East Jakarta), Depok and South Tangerang, especially in residential areas.
Previously, GAPKI had distributed the personal protective equipment (APD) to medical staffs in four hospitals: RS Sulianti Saroso, RSAL Mintohardjo, RSUP Fatmawati, and RSUP Persahabatan. The APD packages, which are vital for the safety of medical workers, consist of hazmat suits, safety boots, face shields, and Google glass. (*)
