How Neighbors Can Help Each Other amid Outbreak

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A volunteer arranges bags of staple food items to be distributed to poor people near Tambaklorok fishing village in Semarang municipality, Central Java, on Tuesday (28/4/2020). The assistance will be given to people affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The concept of "Lumbung Kelurahan", which literally means the barn of the subdistrict, is promoted by the Semarang city administration as an effort to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The close bond between neighbors has been vital following the city’s implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

On a table tennis table at the RT 008/RW 004 neighborhood in Bringin village, Ngaliyan, Semarang city, Central Java, on Wednesday afternoon (29/4/2020), there was a lot of cooking utensils. In the corners of the table, a number of women sliced shallots, chilies and stirred rice. Some also fried tempeh on a jumbo-sized skillet.

"This week we are cooking in a public kitchen. Every day we cook around 150 plates of food to eat after breaking the fast. This is from residents to citizens. Everyone will get food, including those who are not registered as residents," said Tina, 48, one of the residents.

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The opening of the public kitchen is part of RT 008’s “Lumbung Pangan”, a food barn that was built independently. There is also a room to store supplies and social aid.

The initiative to build the food barn was made out of concern over the condition of residents impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Many residents have lost their jobs and livelihoods. Of the 20 people affected by COVID-19, only five received social assistance from the government.

Because of such concerns, the public kitchen was opened. Neighbors, who are financially capable, can contribute.

"Because of such concerns, the public kitchen was opened. Neighbors, who are financially capable, can contribute. We cook and distribute food to everyone, "said Choirul Awaludin, 34, coordinator of the RT 008’s Food Barn.

Every day, around 10 housewives take part in preparing the food, which usually begins at one o’clock in the afternoon. At four o’clock in the evening, the food is distributed to all residents in the neighborhood. The menu changes every day.

The solidarity among residents to help those in difficulty is growing amid the outbreak. The staple foods donated by the residents are stored in the food barn. The residents donate money, rice, cooking oil and even sacks of cement.

"It just so happens that a resident has excess cement after renovating a house. We received the cement and then sold it. The money from the sale was used to buy six chickens, "Awaludin said.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Activities of residents who process food for a variety of dishes in Jomblang, Semarang City, Central Java,  on Tuesday (21/4/2020). They made public kitchens by providing free meals to reduce the economic burden of residents due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

On Tuesday (28/4), Semarang mayor Hendrar Prihadi visited the public kitchen. The Semarang city administration donated 50 packages of staple food. Some of the food were distributed to the really poor residents and some others were for the food barn.

Meanwhile, residents of RT 002/ RW 003 neighborhood in Jomblang village, Candisari district, Semarang city, has also opened a similar public kitchen. Every day, the residents cooked about 5 kg of rice, complete with side dishes and vegetables at the public kitchen.

"We got up together to help the brothers who were laid off or an online (app-based) motorcycle taxi drives who did not get passengers. Our intention is simple. We don\'t want to let anyone starve here, said Puguh Manggolo, 58, the coordinator of the public kitchen.

Ruwahan

The initiative to help each other was also taken by residents of the RT 003 and RT 004 RW 001 neighborhoods in Sekaran, Gunungpati, about 12 kilometers from Semarang city in the form of ruwaha. It is a religious ritual held to welcome to welcome Ramadhan but this time the ritual was modified to help those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The spirit remains the same: sharing.

Ruwahan, also often called punggahan, is a tradition of Muslims in Semarang carried out in the middle of the month of Syakban before Ramadan. The implementation varies, but the point is to gather and pray for the fasting month.

In the RT 003 and RT 004 RW 001 neighborhoods in Sekaran, the ruwahan ritual is carried out by residents by visiting each other’s houses. The host serves dishes and distributes food boxes containing rice, sticky rice and bread, to their guests.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A member of the Indonesian Armed Forces vegetable while in a public kitchen around the Simpang Lima area, Semarang City, Central Java, Friday (17/4/2020). They make various kinds of food menus that will be distributed to residents.

During the outbreak, residents and community leaders agreed to modify the ruwahan ritual by holding it at a mosque where residents can meet and pray together. The residents were also asked to donate cash, which will then be used to buy food for the needy. During the six-day ritual, the activities raised Rp 15.9 million (US$1,060) in donations.

"In principle, sadaqah, or charity must be given to the needy such as the poor, widows or widowers who are old, and who are economically affected by the outbreak," said H Isman, the caretaker of the Roudhotul Muslimin Mosque.

The enthusiasm of residents to help others is so vibrant as seen during the distribution of the staple food to the needy on Sunday (19/4). "There is a true feeling of togetherness. I see that the people are also very happy, "said Isman with teary eyes.

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The Semarang city administration has implemented its own social distancing policy, instead of the large-scale social restrictions adopted in big cities such as Jakarta. The social distancing policy is stipulated in Semarang Mayoral Regulation No. 28/2020. The regulation also requires the community at RT/RW levels to set up the lumbung pangan or food barns to help those affected by the outbreak.

"Basically, it is about the spirit to mitigate the impacts of the crisis, especially at lowest layer of the community, namely RT and RW. At the moment, we have also established a food barn at the subdistrict level," said Hendrar, who is more commonly called Hendi.

At the same time, even though Semarang city has not implemented the PSBB, the local government has distributed social assistance to the needy.

With the food barn system, he is optimistic residents can follow the government’s appeals to stay at home. At the same time, even though Semarang city has not implemented the PSBB, the local government has distributed social assistance to the needy. A total of 290,000 aid packages will be distributed this May.

"Public kitchens will grow in the city of Semarang. Thanks to those who have volunteered to provide solutions for those who are in need, " Hendi said.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A house that is used as a public kitchen in the village of Jomblang, Semarang City, Central Java, on Tuesday (21/4/2020). They agreed to make public kitchens to help underprivileged residents while facing this corona virus outbreak.

Semarang State University sociologist, Fulia Aji Gustaman, said that people had come together to help each other because of the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.

On the other hand, the synergy of citizens, the government and the private sector is also important. "The government must be able to provide concrete solutions, such as those related social security. The state should be able to guarantee and provide security for the people, "said Aji.

The growing awareness among citizens of the need to look after each has been a strong social capital when economic growth slowed during the outbreak. The government should also be able to give citizens a sense of security. It is not the time to keep silent, if we can help others.