Bali

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• The Direct Cash Transfer-Village Fund (BLT-DD) program implemented by villages indicates the villages’ ability to manage social assistance programs transparently and accountably.
• The key is village deliberation meeting as the highest-ranked decision-making forum which is held openly and participatorily.
• BLT-DD facilitators’ presence at the meeting is needed to verify and monitor the democratic process.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused changes in multiple aspects of life. As a response to these changes, the vulnerable communities have been forced to set out their coping strategies. Looking at their livelihoods, the vulnerable communities working in the nonagricultural sector have experienced an income decline during the pandemic. In contrast, the vulnerable communities working in the agricultural sector, such as land-owning farmers and agricultural business owners, have been able to maintain their income level.

The Indonesian government issued various policies to keep the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic under control as cases fluctuated during the outbreak. However, the public communication strategies used by the government to handle the pandemic have not been effective, while effective communication is vital in fostering understanding and trust, as well as in maintaining people’s risk perception.

The Indonesian Government continues to improve its social protection system to ensure the welfare of all citizens in accordance with the mandate of the constitution. Among the population groups that require special attention in the social protection system is the elderly. Based on the 2019 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas), there are more than 25.7 million people, or 9.6 percent of the total population aged 60 years and over in Indonesia.