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Do not create lines while distributing donations, Baznas tells donors, charities
The National Alms Agency (BAZNAS) has reminded its agencies across the nation to help campaign against donation distribution involving mass gatherings during the COVID-19 health crisis.
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The National Alms Agency (Baznas) has been campaigning to the public to avoid mass gatherings while distributing donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of http://bimasislam.kemenag.go.id//-)
The National Alms Agency (Baznas) has reminded its agencies across the nation to help campaign against donation distribution involving mass gatherings during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Baznas director M. Arifin Purwakananta said distributing donations at events that involved long queues was against the COVID-19 prevention protocol as well as the physical distancing policy during the pandemic.
“Mass gatherings are very dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge donors to refrain from creating lines to distribute donations. Distribute them directly to people's houses instead of at [mass gathering events],” Arifin said.
He went on to say that people should be more cautious in organizing events, especially those that involve mass gatherings during the large-scale social restrictions. The COVID-19 prevention protocol should be implemented properly to prevent the virus from spreading further, he added.
Read also: [UPDATED] Anti-COVID-19 initiatives: Helping Indonesia fight the outbreak
“Baznas has formed a Baznas Active Service team, which distributes donations by delivering them directly to the donees, and it acts as an example to the public,” Arifin said.
According to several mass media outlets, the Bogor regency Baznas in West Java invited the public to its headquarters to receive aid. The agency later denied the news.
Nevertheless, Arifin said the public made their way to the Bogor regency BAZNAS office shortly after reading the news, forcing the agency to disburse the available supplies to them.
“I expect Baznas regional agencies to help prevent mass gatherings. They also should be more aware in communicating about the aid to the involved parties,” he added. (dpk)
