Jembrana, May 21st 2020. Covid-19 pandemic has also increased the burden on the lives of the local (Indonesian) fishermen communities. To that end, PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) took part in helping the fishermen communities in a number of provinces. A total of 1,000 donation packages have been prepared to be distributed to fishermen in Banten, Bali, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, West Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, Maluku and West Papua (Papua Barat). This donation came from the concern of XL Axiata employees joined with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Fishing Research and Marine Observation Center or commonly known to locals as Balai Riset & Observasi Laut (BROL) to help informal sector workers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations were distributed starting on May 21st 2020 and is planned to be conclude in mid-June 2020. In this social action, in addition to collaborating with the Marine Research and Observation Center (BROL) and the Ministry of Maritime and Fishing Affairs, XL Axiata also collaborates with partners who have also helped in fostering support towards fishermen, namely the Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), and the Benih Baik Foundation (Yayasan Benih Baik).
Group Head Corporate Communication XL Axiata, Tri Wahyuningsih said “The aim of this program is initially to help the fishing community, which is intentionally directed towards fishermen as they are one of the communities that have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the demand for daily catches by fishermen has dropped dramatically which also means reducing their daily income. XL Axiata, BROL, and Bakamla, which for the past few years have actively helped foster fishermen through the application of the Nusantara Laut digital application for small fishermen communities, we truly understand the severity of this situation and the current conditions they are facing today. Hopefully, this assistance can help ease their burdens.”
Tri Wahyuningsih added to her statement that each donation package contains daily groceries, vitamins, and face masks. In addition to the packages for fishermen, aid packages in the form of 200 cellular/mobile phone kit-sets are also being distributed to marine extension staff/workers of fishermen for the Marine & Fishing Services in several areas. It is hoped they can help provide counseling about the benefits of the Nusantara Sea application and other marine and fishing related information.
Meanwhile, the Head of BROL, Dr. I Nyoman Radiarta stated that since the Covid-19 pandemic problem erupted, the average fishermen's income was predicted to decrease compared to their earnings during the previous normal conditions. Their fish is not absorbed in the market, at one point they must be willing for their fish to be sold below the normal price. BROL is one of the parties/agencies that have been striving to encourage fisherman productivity through the provision of marine data that can be utilized by fishermen.
In the initial stage, donations will be handed over to fishermen in Pengambengan and Perancak, along the Jembrana Regency, Bali. After Idul Fitri (Eid), the donation process will continue to the fishermen community in the village of Maritim Silo Baru, Asahan Regency of the North Sumatra Province, along with the Maritim village of the Cemaga Natuna Regency within the Riau Islands, Maritim Panimbang Jaya village of the Pandeglang Regency of Banten, Maritim Kuala village in the Sambas Province of West Kalimantan, Desa Maritim Balansiku of the Nunukan Regency in North Kalimantan, Desa Maritim Labetawi of the Tual region in Maluku, Ambon, and the Sorong Province of West Papua. Some of these locations are the outermost points of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) where local fishing communities support Bakamla in ensuring the security of the nation.
Bakamla is also concern for the burden of fishermen in various areas as a result of the spread of the Corona virus. Various efforts to help them have been done by Bakamla, including the collaboration with XL Axiata. Assistance must be given to them because so far the fishermen, especially those in the outermost parts of Indonesia are strategic partners of Bakamla in monitoring the border areas.
As an additional piece of information, currently there are as much as 27,000 (thousand) downloads of the Laut Nusantara application. Seeing this development, the Nusantara Sea application continues to go through developments of the existing features, which are adjusted to the development in the needs of fishermen. There is also of course support in the form of important information from the Marine Research and Observation Center (BROL) that can support the comfort, safety and effectiveness of fishermen in fishing.
Donation by XL Axiata Employees
Since the Covid-19 pandemic struck and directly affected the economy of some Indonesian people, XL Axiata employees have taken the initiative to collect donations from their own personal funds. Donations have been collected in two stages. In the first phase IDR 818 million was collected. Then in the second phase IDR 750 million have also been collected. Funds from the first phase of the collection have been channeled to donate 1,000 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) given to 10 Hospitals in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, funds collected from the second phase of the donation are channeled in the form of free food assistance, masks, vitamins, basic needs of mothers and children and others in various regions in Indonesia, including to help communities in need. Among other things, donations have been distributed to the visually impaired in several cities in Sumatra, in collaboration with Pewarta Foto Indonesia, as well as to help underprivileged communities in Medan in which XL Axiata collaborated with the blogger community in Medan, as well as for the Fishermen community in various regions.
XL Axiata continues the strive to continue its’ contribution in the Covid-19 mitigation in Indonesia. Up until now, support for work and learning activities from home continues through the access to a free 2GB daily data quota. Strengthening the network around the main referral hospital also continues. In addition, by collaborating with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), XL Axiata has distributed various assistance including donating thousands of personal protective equipment and hazmat clothing for medical personnel in a number of regions in Indonesia.