PUTRAJAYA:Concerned with the plight of some people who face difficulties in continuing life, the government came forward to provide assistance through the Kembara Prihatin Negara program.

This initiative will channel aid to those in need of assistance, especially those affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, which was initiated by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), will move on a weekly basis and cover 108 districts nationwide.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the Kembara Prihatin Negara program not only provides financial assistance but also daily necessities and mobile counters for those who want to get any guidance.

“This program involves cooperation from strategic partners and we encourage the involvement of corporate companies so that more assistance can be channelled.

"We aim for one million recipients to receive benefits through the program," she said when launching the Kembara Prihatin Negara program in Putrajaya on Sunday.

Realising the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for relief work, Rina said, her party will take into account aspects of standard operating procedures (SOP), especially involving areas around risk zones.

Meanwhile, Rina informed that KPWKM has also began to receive complaints about the difficulties of life experienced by the people via calls on Talian Kasih helpline.

"We have received 26,000 calls for a period of one month regarding several complaints.

"In comparison, the complaints this time did not increase much compared to the first phase of COVID-19 because at that time there were parties who panicked and were affected due to financial problems," she added.